Sections
Log in
Top News
U.S. News World News Featured Voices
Odd News
Entertainment
Movies Music TV
Sports
Soccer NFL NBA MLB
Photos
News Entertainment Sports Features
More...
Defense Featured Science Health Video Archive Almanac
About Feedback Privacy Policy
About Feedback Privacy Policy
Search
Trending
Dope Christmas sweater
WWE Hall of Fame
Sam Pittman
$120,000 banana
PetSmart horse
Miss Universe
New Zealand volcano
Mystery boat
Elizabeth Warren
Wild horses
Abortion
Odd News
Aug. 21, 2006 / 3:30 AM

The Almanac

By
United Press International

Today is Monday Aug. 21, the 233rd day of 2006 with 132 to follow.

The moon is waning. The morning stars are Saturn, Mercury, Venus and Uranus. The evening stars are Neptune, Mars, Jupiter and Pluto.

Those born on this date are under the sign of Leo. They include jazz great William "Count" Basie in 1904; mystery novelist Anthony Boucher in 1911; Britain's Princess Margaret in 1930; basketball star Wilt Chamberlain in 1936; country/pop singer Kenny Rogers in 1938 (age 68); actor Clarence Williams III in 1939 (age 67); pop singer Jackie DeShannon in 1944 (age 62); and actresses Patty McCormack in 1945 (age 61) and Kim Cattrall in 1956 (age 50); former Ohio State football running back Archie Griffin, the only two-time Heisman Trophy winner, in 1954 (age 52); American Online founder Steve Case in 1958 (age 48) and actress Alicia Witt in 1975 (age 31).


On this date in history:

In 1831, slave Nat Turner launched a bloody slave insurrection in Southampton County, Va., leading to the deaths of 60 people. Turner, an educated minister who considered himself chosen by God to lead his people out of slavery, was hanged.

In 1935, Benny Goodman's nationally broadcast concert at Los Angeles' Palomar Theater was such a hit that it often has been referred to as the kickoff of the swing era.

In 1940, exiled Bolshevik leader Leon Trotsky was assassinated in Mexico City on orders from Soviet dictator Josef Stalin.

In 1951, the United States ordered construction of the world's first atomic submarine, the Nautilus.

In 1959, Hawaii became the 50th state.

In 1968, the Soviet Union and other Warsaw Pact forces invaded Czechoslovakia to end its bid for independence from Moscow.

In 1983, Philippine opposition leader Benigno Aquino was assassinated as he stepped from a plane at the Manila airport.

In 1986, gas belching from a volcanic lake in the remote mountains of Cameroon killed more than 1,700 people and injured 500.

In 1991, a coup to oust Soviet President Gorbachev collapsed two days after it began.

In 1992, fugitive neo-Nazi leader Randall Weaver opened fire on U.S. marshals from inside his Idaho mountaintop home. His wife and teenage son and a deputy marshal died during the 11-day standoff.

In 1994, Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de Leon was elected president of Mexico.

In 1995, the Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds tobacco companies agreed to drop libel suits against ABC News after the network apologized for reporting a year earlier that cigarette makers added nicotine in order to addict smokers.

In 1996, U.S. President Bill Clinton signed a law that let Americans carry health insurance from one job to the next, and limited denial of coverage due to pre-existing conditions.

In 2002, U.S. President George W. Bush said that while no decision had been made whether to go to war against Iraq, he believed a "regime change" would be "in the best interest of the world."

Also in 2002, Michael Copper, former executive of the bankrupt energy giant Enron, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering.

In 2004, two French journalists were reported kidnapped by Islamic radicals who demanded France repeal its ban on Muslim headscarves in school. France refused.

In 2005, Israeli soldiers moved into the final phase of their evacuation of residents of the Gaza Strip, an operation that reportedly went smoothly overall. More than 30 homes were razed in the northern section, first large-scale demolitions of the mission.

Also in 2005, sectarian violence erupted in Northern Ireland with about 400 nationalists and loyalists rioting in Belfast. There were no serious injuries reported.


A thought for the day: it was Ernie Pyle who said, "I write from the worm's-eye point of view."

  • Topics
  • Alicia Witt
  • Anthony Boucher
  • Archie Griffin
  • Benigno Aquino
  • Bill Clinton
  • Clarence Williams III
  • Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de Leon
  • Ernie Pyle
  • George Bush
  • George W. Bush
  • Jackie DeShannon
  • Josef Stalin
  • Kenny Rogers
  • Kim Cattrall
  • Leon Trotsky
  • Michael Copper
  • Nat Turner
  • Patty McCormack
  • Princess Margaret
  • R.J. Reynolds
  • Randall Weaver
  • Steve Case

Latest Headlines

Snake delays start of cricket match in India
Odd News // 10 hours ago
Snake delays start of cricket match in India
Dec. 9 (UPI) -- A professional cricket match in India was delayed Monday when a snake wandered out into pitch just as players were getting into position.

Dreams lead Michigan man to $500,000 lottery jackpot
Odd News // 10 hours ago
Dreams lead Michigan man to $500,000 lottery jackpot
Dec. 9 (UPI) -- A Michigan man said a trio of prophetic dreams led him to a specific scratch-off lottery ticket that earned him a $500,000 jackpot.

California deputy rescues cat with head stuck in ramen noodle bag
Odd News // 11 hours ago
California deputy rescues cat with head stuck in ramen noodle bag
Dec. 9 (UPI) -- A California sheriff's department shared video of a deputy coming to the rescue of a cat spotted running around with a ramen noodle package stuck over its head.

Washington town lights 797 Christmas trees for Guinness record
Odd News // 11 hours ago
Washington town lights 797 Christmas trees for Guinness record
Dec. 9 (UPI) -- A town in Washington is celebrating the holidays as well as a new world record after lighting 797 Christmas trees at the same time.

$120,000 banana eaten by art gallery visitor, wall vandalized
Odd News // 13 hours ago
$120,000 banana eaten by art gallery visitor, wall vandalized
Dec. 9 (UPI) -- The $120,000 banana duct taped to the wall of a Florida art gallery was taken off the wall and eaten by a visitor -- and another visitor then replaced it with graffiti about Jeffrey Epstein.

Walmart apologizes for Christmas sweater with drug reference
Odd News // 13 hours ago
Walmart apologizes for Christmas sweater with drug reference
Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Walmart issued an apology for a Christmas sweater on the store's Canadian website that featured a reference to doing illicit drugs.

Police horse delights shoppers inside PetSmart store
Odd News // 14 hours ago
Police horse delights shoppers inside PetSmart store
Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Police in Louisiana shared video of a police horse going shopping inside a pet supply store, to the delight of staff and customers.

Couples break two Guinness records for mistletoe kissing
Odd News // 14 hours ago
Couples break two Guinness records for mistletoe kissing
Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Beer company Anheuser-Busch gathered a total of 896 couples at three U.S. locations to kiss under mistletoe and break two Guinness World Records.

Banana duct taped to wall sells for $120,000 at Florida gallery
Odd News // 3 days ago
Banana duct taped to wall sells for $120,000 at Florida gallery
Dec. 6 (UPI) -- A piece of art that sold for $120,000 at a Florida gallery this week is drawing attention due to being a banana duct taped to a wall.

Lost wedding ring found at world's largest Christmas light maze
Odd News // 3 days ago
Lost wedding ring found at world's largest Christmas light maze
Dec. 6 (UPI) -- Workers at a Florida attraction billed as the world's largest Christmas light maze found a visitor's lost wedding ring several days after the item vanished.

Trending Stories

$120,000 banana eaten by art gallery visitor, wall vandalized
$120,000 banana eaten by art gallery visitor, wall vandalized
Snake delays start of cricket match in India
Snake delays start of cricket match in India
Walmart apologizes for Christmas sweater with drug reference
Walmart apologizes for Christmas sweater with drug reference
Man wins $30,000 from lottery ticket rejected by friend
Man wins $30,000 from lottery ticket rejected by friend
Washington town lights 797 Christmas trees for Guinness record
Washington town lights 797 Christmas trees for Guinness record

Photo Gallery

 
Moments from Kennedy Center Honors
Moments from Kennedy Center Honors

Latest News

New Zealand volcano: Police launch criminal probe; Americans among 8 missing
New Zealand Police identifies officers who arrested Christchurch suspect
Russia, Ukraine leaders agree on cease-fire, prisoner exchange by year's end
U.S. soccer star Megan Rapinoe named Sports Illustrated's Sportsperson of Year
Indianapolis Colts place K Adam Vinatieri on season-ending injured reserve
 
Back to Article
/
Back to top
About UPI Contact Feedback Advertisements Submit News Tips
Copyright © 2019 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of UsePrivacy Policy