Today is Wednesday, September 2, the 245th day of 2015. There are 120 days left in the year.
Today’s Highlight in History:
On September 2, 1945, Japan formally surrendered in ceremonies aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, ending World War II.
On this date:
In 1666, the Great Fire of London broke out.
In 1789, the United States Treasury Department was established.
In 1864, during the Civil War, Union Gen. William T. Sherman’s forces occupied Atlanta.
In 1901, Vice President Theodore Roosevelt offered the advice, “Speak softly and carry a big stick” in a speech at the Minnesota State Fair.
In 1924, the Rudolf Friml operetta “Rose Marie” opened on Broadway.
In 1935, a Labor Day hurricane slammed into the Florida Keys, claiming more than 400 lives.
In 1945, Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam an independent republic. (Ho died on this date in 1969.)
In 1963, Alabama Gov. George C. Wallace prevented the integration of Tuskegee High School by encircling the building with state troopers. “The CBS Evening News” with Walter Cronkite was lengthened from 15 to 30 minutes, becoming network television’s first half-hour nightly newscast.
In 1969, in what some regard as the birth of the Internet, two connected computers at the University of California, Los Angeles, passed test data through a 15-foot cable.
In 1972, Dave Wottle of the United States won the men’s 800-meter race at the Munich Summer Olympics.
In 1986, a judge in Los Angeles sentenced Cathy Evelyn Smith to three years in prison for involuntary manslaughter for her role in the 1982 drug overdose death of comedian John Belushi. (Smith served 18 months.)
In 1998, a Swissair MD-11 jetliner crashed off Nova Scotia, killing all 229 people aboard.
Ten years ago: A National Guard convoy packed with food, water and medicine rolled into New Orleans four days after Hurricane Katrina. Scorched by criticism about sluggish federal help, President George W. Bush toured the Gulf Coast and met with state and local officials, including New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin; at one point, Bush praised FEMA Director Michael Brown, telling him, “Brownie, you’re doing a heck of a job.” During a live TV benefit concert, rapper Kanye West went off-script to sharply criticize President Bush, saying he “doesn’t care about black people.” The Labor Department reported the August unemployment rate was 4.9 percent, a four-year low. Machinists at Boeing Co. went on a nearly month-long strike. Actor Bob Denver, 70, died in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Five years ago: Israeli and Palestinian leaders pledged in a first round of renewed peace talks in Washington to keep meeting at regular intervals. Seattle Storm forward Lauren Jackson was selected the WNBA’s most valuable player for the third time in her career.
One year ago: Islamic State group extremists released a video showing the beheading of American journalist Steven Sotloff, and warned President Barack Obama against further U.S. airstrikes on the group. Apple said that hackers had obtained nude photos of actress Jennifer Lawrence and other female celebrities by pilfering images from individual accounts rather than through a broader attack on the company’s services.
Today’s Birthdays: Dancer-actress Marge Champion is 96. Former Sen. Alan K. Simpson, R-Wyo., is 84. Actor-comedian Chuck McCann is 81. Former United States Olympic Committee Chairman Peter Ueberroth is 78. Actor Derek Fowlds (TV: “Yes, Minister”; “Yes, Prime Minister”) is 78. Singer Jimmy Clanton is 77. Rhythm-and-blues singer Sam Gooden (The Impressions) is 76. Rhythm-and-blues singer Rosalind Ashford (Martha & the Vandellas) is 72. Singer Joe Simon is 72. Pro and College Football Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw is 67. Basketball Hall of Famer Nate Archibald is 67. Actor Mark Harmon is 64. Former Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., is 64. International Tennis Hall of Famer Jimmy Connors is 63. Actress Linda Purl is 60. Rock musician Jerry Augustyniak (10,000 Maniacs) is 57. Country musician Paul Deakin (The Mavericks) is 56. Pro Football Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson is 55. Actor Keanu Reeves is 51. International Boxing Hall of Famer Lennox Lewis is 50. Actress Salma Hayek is 49. Actor Tuc Watkins is 49. Actress Kristen Cloke is 47. Actress Cynthia Watros is 47. Rhythm-and-blues singer K-Ci is 46. Actor-comedian Katt Williams is 42. Actor Michael Lombardi is 41. Actress Tiffany Hines is 38. Rock musician Sam Rivers (Limp Bizkit) is 38. Actor Jonathan Kite is 36. Actress Allison Miller is 30. Rock musician Spencer Smith is 28. Electronic music DJ/producer Zedd is 26.
Thought for Today: “Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else.” — Margaret Mead, American anthropologist (1901-1978).
