Friday, January 24, 1997
Today's Events
A papal message for World Communications Day is scheduled.
Today is the deadline for Slovenia's Prime Minister Janez Drnovsek to
present his government lineup to parliament.
Graduation is scheduled for the last class from the Reese Air Force Base in Lubbock, Texas.
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On the horizon
On Saturday, January 25, South Korean President Kim Young-sam holds a summit with Japan's Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto on the island of Kyushu.
On Sunday, January 26, a march and rally are planned to mark the 25th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, when 14 marchers were shot to death by British paratroopers in Londonderry, Northern Ireland.
On Monday, January 27, Russia's rebellious Chechnya province plans to hold presidential and parliamentary elections.
On Tuesday, January 28, the International Toxic and Hazardous Waste Congress opens in Manila.
On Wednesday, January 29, the foreign ministers of Italy, Britain, France, German, Spain and Turkey meet for talks on Turkey's relations with Europe.
On Thursday, January 30, the Commonwealth of Independent States summit opens its summit in Moscow.
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On this day
In 41, Gaius Caesar (Caligula), Roman emperor from 37, was
murdered. Caligula, or Little Boots, was a nickname he acquired
as a child.
In 1076, the Synod of Worms took place at which German bishops
renounced their allegiance to Pope Gregory, who in turn
excommunicated Henry IV.
In 1848, gold was first discovered in California by James
Marshall in Sutters sawmill. Initial press reports were largely
ignored. Only when President Polk announced the news in December
did the gold rush begin.
In 1895, Lord Randolph Churchill, British politician and
influential leader of the Conservative Party, died.
In 1915, in World War I, the British navy defeated the
Germans at the Battle of Dogger Bank.
In 1935, Krueger Cream Ale, the first beer to be sold in cans,
went on sale in Richmond, Virginia.
In 1960, a major insurrection began in Algiers against French
policy in the country.
In 1961, a U.S. B-52 bomber with two 24-megaton nuclear bombs
crashed near Goldsboro, North Carolina.
In 1965, Winston Churchill, statesman and wartime British
prime minister, died.
In 1969, Gen. Franco declared martial law in Spain following
disturbances which led to nearly 300 arrests. It lasted until
March 25.
In 1972, Japanese soldier Shoichi Yokoi was discovered on
Guam, having spent 28 years hiding in the jungle thinking the
war was still going on.
In 1978, Soviet satellite, Cosmos 954, used for ocean
surveillance, disintegrated over the remote North-West
territories of Canada.
In 1983, in Italy, 32 Red Brigade members were jailed for acts
of terrorism, including the murder of Aldo Moro.
In 1987, American Jesse Turner, computer science professor at
Beirut University College, was taken hostage in Lebanon. He was
released in October 1991.
In 1991, Japan pledged $9 billion more to the Gulf War effort, which brought angry rejoinders from Iraq.
In 1995, a U.S. airman and his 10-year-old son given up for
dead in snow-covered mountains in Turkey were found alive after
living on snow for nine days.
In 1996, Chechen rebels released 42 hostages seized in a raid
in southern Russia after a two-week ordeal in which dozens of
separatist fighters and many Russian soldiers were killed.
In 1996, the Warsaw military prosecutor launched a formal
probe into allegations Prime Minister Jozef Oleksy had spied for
Moscow.
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Newslink
Sixty-two years ago today, the first can of beer was sold in Richmond, Virginia. The beer was Krueger Cream Ale and its tin container spawned a multibillion industry. To learn more about your brew of choice click here.
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Holidays and more
Today marks the annual celebration of the Alacitis Fair in Bolivia.
Today is economic liberation day in Togo.
Actor Ernest Borgnine is 80.
Singer Neil Diamond is 56.
Actress Nastassja Kinski is 37.
Actor Michael Ontkean is 47.
Olympic gold medal gymnast Mary Lou Retton is 29.
Evangelist Oral Roberts is 79.
Comedian Yakov Smirnoff is 46.
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Sources: Reuters,
Chase's Calendar of Events 1997, J.P. Morgan
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