Today in History

Today is Tuesday, June 12, the 164th day of 2012. There are 202 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On June 12, 1942, Anne Frank, a German-born Jewish girl living in Amsterdam, received a diary for her 13th birthday; in it, she wrote, "I hope I will be able to confide everything to you, as I have never been able to with anyone, and I hope you will provide much support and comfort." (Less than a month later, Anne and her family went into hiding from the Nazis.)

On this date:

In 1665, England installed a municipal government in New York, formerly the Dutch settlement of New Amsterdam.

In 1776, Virginia's colonial legislature became the first to adopt a Bill of Rights.

In 1898, Philippine nationalists declared independence from Spain.

In 1920, the Republican national convention, meeting in Chicago, nominated Warren G. Harding for president on the tenth ballot; Calvin Coolidge was nominated for vice president.

In 1939, the National Base ball Hall of Fame and Museum was dedicated in Cooperstown, N.Y.

In 1956, the Flag of the United States Army was officially adopted under an executive order signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

In 1963, civil rights leader Medgar Evers, 37, was shot and killed outside his home in Jackson, Miss. (In 1994, Byron De La Beckwith was convicted of murdering Evers and sentenced to life in prison; he died in 2001.)

In 1967, the Supreme Court, in Loving v. Virginia, struck down state laws prohibiting interracial marriages.

In 1972, the notorious porn film "Deep Throat," starring Linda Lovelace, opened in New York. (The title would become the nickname of a deep background source for The Washington Post during the Watergate scandal, later revealed to be then-FBI Associate Director Mark Felt.) Death claimed literary critic Edmund Wilson at age 77 and community organizer Saul Alinsky at age 63.

In 1982, a crowd estimated at up to 1 million people gathered in New York's Central Park to demand a superpower freeze on nuclear weapons.

In 1987, President Ronald Reagan, during a visit to the divided German city of Berlin, publicly challenged Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev to "tear down this wall."

In 1991, Russians went to the polls to elect Boris N. Yeltsin president of their republic.

Ten years ago: The Los Angeles Lakers finished off the New Jersey Nets in four games, winning their third straight NBA title with a 113-107 victory. Fashion designer Bill Blass died at his Connecticut home at age 79.

Five years ago: President George W. Bush went to Capitol Hill, where he prodded rebellious Senate Republicans to help resurrect legislation that could provide eventual citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants. Afghan police mistook U.S. troops for Taliban fighters and opened fire, prompting U.S. forces to return fire, killing seven Afghan police officers. Justin Verlander pitched a no-hitter to lead the Detroit Tigers over the Milwaukee Brewers 4-0. Don Herbert, television's "Mr. Wizard," died in Bell Canyon, Calif., at age 89.

One year ago: The Dallas Mavericks won their first NBA title by winning Game 6 of the finals against the Miami Heat, 105-95. "The Book of Mormon" took home nine Tony Awards, including the prize for best musical; "War Horse" won five Tonys, including the best play award.

Today's Birthdays: Banker/philanthropist David Rockefeller is 97. Former President George H.W. Bush is 88. Singer Vic Damone is 84. Songwriter Richard Sherman is 84. Actor-singer Jim Nabors is 82. Jazz musician Chick Corea is 71. Sportscaster Marv Albert is 71. Singer Roy Harper is 71. Rock singer Reg Presley (The Troggs) is 71. Pop singer Len Barry is 70. Rock singer-musician John Wetton (Asia, King Crimson) is 63. Rock musician Bun E. Carlos (Cheap Trick) is 61. Country singer-musician Junior Brown is 60. Singer-songwriter Rocky Burnette is 59. Actor Timothy Busfield is 55. Singer Meredith Brooks is 54. Actress Jenilee Harrison is 54. Rock musician John Linnell (They Might Be Giants) is 53. Rapper Grandmaster Dee (Whodini) is 50. Actress Paula Marshall is 48. Actress Frances O'Connor is 45. Actor Rick Hoffman (TV: "Suits") is 42. Actor Jason Mewes is 38. Actor Michael Muhney is 37. Blues musician Kenny Wayne Shepherd is 35. Actor Wil Horneff is 33. Singer Robyn is 33. Country singer Chris Young is 27. Rap group MC Jay Are is 23. Actor Ryan Malgarini is 20.

Thought for Today: "It is easier to love humanity as a whole than to love one's neighbor." -- Eric Hoffer, American philosopher (1902-1983).

Copyright 2012, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.