Those born on this date are under the sign of Cancer. They include U.S. businessman John Jacob Astor IV in 1864; Rev. Edward Flanagan, founder of Boys Town, in 1886; Dave Garroway, a host of TV's "Today Show," in 1913; former HUD Secretary, congressman and pro football star Jack Kemp in 1935; actors Bob Crane in 1928, Patrick Stewart in 1940 (age 74) and Harrison Ford in 1942 (age 72); Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Roger McGuinn in 1942 (age 72); Rubik's Cube inventor Erno Rubik in 1944 (age 70); comedian Cheech Marin in 1946 (age 68); radio and television sports commentator Tony Kornheiser in 1948 (age 66); country singer Louise Mandrell in 1954 (age 60); and screenwriter and director Cameron Crowe in 1957 (age 57).
On this date in history:
In 1863, opposition to the Federal Conscription Act led to riots in New York City. More than 1,000 people were killed.
In 1898, Guglielmo Marconi was awarded a patent for wireless telegraphy, the radio.
In 1960, Democrats nominated Sen. John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts for president against GOP Vice President Richard Nixon.
In 1977, a state of emergency was declared in New York City during a 25-hour power blackout.
In 1992, Yitzhak Rabin became Israel's new prime minister, ending the hard-line Likud Party's 15-year reign.
In 1998, Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto resigned, a victim of the country's economic woes.
In 2002, the George W. Bush administration said that fiscal 2002 would have a deficit of $165 billion despite the $127 billion surplus recorded for the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, 2001.
In 2005, a judge in New York sentenced former WorldCom Chief Executive Officer Bernard Ebbers to 25 years in prison for his part in what was described as the largest fraud in U.S. corporate history.
In 2008, the U.S. Treasury Department announced a plan to save two major government-backed mortgage companies known as Fannie Mac and Freddie Mac, with billions of dollars in investments and loans.
In 2013, neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman was acquitted in the 2012 shooting death of unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin in a gated community in Florida. The case provoked a national debate on "stand your ground" laws and racial profiling.
A thought for the day: "Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body." -- Joseph Addison
