Today in History

Today is Monday, Jan. 2, the second day of 2012. There are 364 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On Jan. 2, 1942, the Philippine capital of Manila was captured by Japanese forces during World War II.

On this date:

In 1788, Georgia became the fourth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.

In 1811, Sen. Timothy Pickering, a Federalist from Massachusetts, became the first member of the U.S. Senate to be censured after he'd improperly revealed the contents of an executive document.

In 1900, Secretary of State John Hay announced the "Open Door Policy" to facilitate trade with China.

In 1921, religious services were broadcast on radio for the first time as KDKA in Pittsburgh aired the regular Sunday service of the city's Calvary Episcopal Church.

In 1935, Bruno Hauptmann went on trial in Flemington, N.J., on charges of kidnapping and murdering the 20-month-old son of Charles and Anne Lindbergh. (Hauptmann was found guilty, and executed.)

In 1959, the Soviet Union launched its space probe Luna 1, the first manmade object to fly past the moon, its apparent intended target.

In 1960, Sen. John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts launched his successful bid for the presidency.

In 1971, 66 people were killed in a pileup of spectators leaving a soccer match at Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow, Scotland.

In 1974, President Richard M. Nixon signed legislation requiring states to limit highway speeds to 55 miles an hour. (Federal speed limits were abolished in 1995).

In 1981, police in Sheffield, England, arrested Peter Sutcliffe, who confessed to being the "Yorkshire Ripper," the serial killer of 13 women.

In 1991, Sharon Pratt (Dixon) was sworn in as mayor of Washington, D.C., becoming the first black woman to head a city of Washington's size and prominence.

In 2006, 12 miners died in a methane gas explosion at the Sago Mine in West Virginia, W.Va., but one miner, Randal McCloy Jr., was eventually rescued.

Ten years ago: The new Afghan government confirmed that American bombs had killed the Taliban's intelligence chief (Qari Ahmadullah). Eduardo Duhalde was sworn in as Argentina's president. The No. 5 Florida Gators crushed No. 6 Maryland 56-23 in the Orange Bowl.

Five years ago: The state funeral for former President Gerald R. Ford began with an elaborate service at Washington National Cathedral, then moved to Grand Rapids, Mich. New York City commuter Wesley Autrey Sr. saved Cameron Hollopeter, a 19-year-old film student who'd fallen onto subway tracks, by leaping down and pulling the teen and himself into the trough between the tracks as a train passed over them. Talk show host Oprah Winfrey opened a school for disadvantaged girls in South Africa. (The school later became embroiled in allegations of abuse; Winfrey apologized and promised an overhaul.) No. 5 Louisville beat No. 15 Wake Forest 24-13 in the Orange Bowl. Former Jerusalem Mayor Teddy Kollek died at age 95.

One year ago: The U.S. Navy said it would investigate raunchy videos broadcast to the crew of the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise. (Capt. Owen P. Honors, who'd produced the videos as the ship's executive officer, was removed as the Enterprise's commander but was later allowed to remain in the Navy.) A magnitude 7.1 earthquake shook southern Chile, sending tens of thousands of people fearing a tsunami to higher ground. Maj. Richard "Dick" Winters, who'd fought in several major battles in World War II and whose quiet leadership was chronicled in the book and television miniseries "Band of Brothers," died in Palmyra, Pa., at age 92.

Today's Birthdays: Country musician Harold Bradley is 86. Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert is 70. TV host Jack Hanna is 65. Actress Wendy Phillips is 60. Actress Gabrielle Carteris is 51. Movie director Todd Haynes is 51. Retired MLB All-Star pitcher David Cone is 49. Actress Tia Carrere is 45. Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. is 44. Model Christy Turlington is 43. Actor Taye Diggs is 41. Rock musician Scott Underwood (Train) is 41. Rock singer Doug Robb (Hoobastank) is 37. Actor Dax Shepard is 37. Actress Paz Vega is 36. Country musician Chris Hartman is 34. Rock musician Jerry DePizzo Jr. (O.A.R.) is 33. Rhythm-and-blues singer Kelton Kessee (IMX) is 31. Actress Kate Bosworth is 29. Jazz singer-musician Trombone Shorty is 26.

Thought for Today: "Love doesn't grow on trees like apples in Eden -- it's something you have to make. And you must use your imagination too." -- Joyce Cary, Anglo-Irish author (1888-1957).

Copyright 2012, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.