Tuesday, August 5, 1997
Today's events
Franjo Tudjman is scheduled to be sworn in as Croatian
president for another five-year term.
Planned launch of the Soyuz spacecraft in Baikonur, Russia,
with a crew to replace the one aboard the crippled Mir
station.
Representatives from the United States, China, North Korea
and South Korea are scheduled to meet in New York in talks
which will focus on nuclear missile proliferation, among
other topics.
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On the horizon
On Wednesday, August 6, the Solomon Islands hold national
elections.
On Thursday, August 7, "Achievements and perspectives of the
Venezuelan Agenda," a conference, opens in Caracas.
On Friday, August 8, Prime Minister Goh Chok
Tong delivers his National Day address to the people of
Singapore.
On Saturday, August 9, the annual parade of the Apprentice
Boys in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, is scheduled to take
place. The parade celebrate the victory over Roman Catholics
who besieged the city after 13 apprentice boys shut the gates
on the advancing army of King James II.
On Sunday, August 10, hundreds of Rastas from around the
world are expected at the 3rd annual Rastafari Gathering in
Christiansted, St. Croix.
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On this day
In 1305, Sir William Wallace, Scottish hero and champion of
Scottish independence who beat Edward I at the battle of
Stirling Bridge, was captured by the English and later
executed as a traitor.
In 1529, the Treaty of Cambrai was signed by Francis I of
France and Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. Francis renounced
his claim to Italy and Charles renounced his claims to
Burgundy.
In 1583, Sir Humphrey Gilbert founded the first English
colony in North America at St. John's in Newfoundland.
In 1716, in a devastating defeat, Prince Eugene of Savoy with
a force of 40,000 Austrians beat 150,000 Turks under Darnad
Ali Pasha at the battle of Peterwardein. Over 30,000 Turks
died.
In 1850, Australian Government Act granted representative
governments to South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria.
In 1858, the first transatlantic cable was completed enabling
telegraphic communication between United States and Britain.
The service was ended on September 1 as the current was too
weak.
In 1864, in Alabama, Union forces under Admiral David
Farragut defeated the Confederates at Battle of Mobile Bay in
the U.S. Civil War.
In 1884, cornerstone of the Statue of Liberty was laid on
Bedloe's Island in New York harbor.
In 1914, Montenegro declared war against Austria-Hungary in
World War One. Cuba, Uruguay, Mexico and Argentina all
proclaimed their neutrality.
In 1914, the first electric traffic signals to control
different streams of traffic were installed at Euclid Avenue
and East 105th street in Cleveland, Ohio.
In 1915, Warsaw, evacuated by the Russians, was occupied by
the Germans.
In 1940, Latvia was absorbed into the Soviet Union as the
Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic.
In 1943, in World War II, British troops entered Catania and
Paterno in Sicily.
In 1949, in Ecuador an area of some 1,500 square miles was
struck by an earthquake measuring 6.75 on the Richter scale.
Six thousand people were killed and about 100,000 people made
homeless.
In 1953, "Operation Big Switch" -- the exchange of prisoners
of war between the United Nations Command and the Chinese and
North Koreans -- takes place at Panmunjom, Korea.
In 1960, Upper Volta gained independence from France.
In 1962, Nelson Mandela was arrested near Howick, Natal and
charged with incitement, receiving a five-year sentence later
in the year.
In 1962, Marilyn Monroe, U.S. film actress, died in Los
Angeles aged 36. Famed for her roles in the films "Some Like
it Hot" and "The Misfits."
In 1963, a Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was signed in Moscow by
Russia, the United States and Britain.
In 1973, Arab terrorists open fire at Athens airport, killing
three and injuring 55.
In 1974, U.S. President Nixon admitted he had withheld
information about the Watergate break-in; he announced his
resignation three days later.
In 1995, the United States and Vietnam declared an end to
decades of enmity, formally established diplomatic ties and
pledged a new era of cooperation.
In 1995, Croatian government forces seized the rebel Serb
"capital" of Knin in a lightning assault designed to win back
the breakaway region of Krajina after four years.
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Newslink
Thirty-five years ago today, the legendary Marilyn Monroe
died in Los Angeles. Famed for her roles in the films "Some
Like it Hot" and "The Misfits," her influence is still felt
today. Click here to join in on a virtual memorial to the star.
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Holidays and more
Today is a Festival Holiday in the British Virgin Islands.
It's Independence Day in Burkina Faso.
Today is a National Holiday in Croatia.
It's the San Salvador Feast in El Salvador.
Today is Public Holiday in Grenada.
It's Youth Day in Kiribati.
Today is Culturama in St. Kitts-Nevis.
Actress Loni Anderson is 51.
Former astronaut Neil Armstrong is 67.
Actress Josie Bissett is 27.
Basketball player Patrick Ewing is 35.
Actor John Saxon is 61.
Actor Jonathan Silverman is 31.
Actress Erika Slezak is 51.
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Sources: Associated Press,
Chase's Calendar of Events 1997, J.P. Morgan
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