Today in History

Today is Saturday, Jan. 10, the 10th day of 2015. There are 355 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On Jan. 10, 1776, Thomas Paine anonymously published his influential pamphlet, "Common Sense," which argued for American independence from British rule.

On this date:

In 1861, Florida became the third state to secede from the Union.

In 1863, the London Underground had its beginnings as the Metropolitan, the world's first underground passenger railway, opened to the public with service between Paddington and Farringdon Street.

In 1870, John D. Rockefeller incorporated Standard Oil.

In 1901, the Spindletop oil field in Beaumont, Texas, produced the Lucas Gusher, heralding the start of the Texas oil boom.

In 1914, a Utah grocer and his son were shot to death in their Salt Lake City store; police arrested labor activist Joe Hill, who was later convicted and executed, becoming a martyr to America's organized labor movement.

In 1920, the League of Nations was established as the Treaty of Versailles went into effect.

In 1946, the first General Assembly of the United Nations convened in London.

In 1957, Harold Macmillan became prime minister of Britain, following the resignation of Anthony Eden.

In 1964, Vee-Jay Records released "Introducing... The Beatles," an album which ran into immediate legal opposition from Capitol Records, which was about to come out with its own album, "Meet the Beatles!" (After a court battle, the two companies reached a settlement.)

In 1971, "Masterpiece Theatre" premiered on PBS with host Alistair Cooke introducing the drama series "The First Churchills." French fashion designer Coco Chanel died in Paris at age 87.

In 1984, the United States and the Vatican established full diplomatic relations for the first time in more than a century.

In 2000, America Online announced it was buying Time Warner for $162 billion (the merger, which proved disastrous, ended in Dec. 2009).

Ten years ago: CBS issued a damning independent review of mistakes related to a "60 Minutes Wednesday" report on President George W. Bush's National Guard service and fired three news executives and a producer for their "myopic zeal" in rushing it to air. A mudslide in La Conchita, California, crushed homes and killed 10 residents. Gunmen assassinated Baghdad's deputy police chief and his son; al-Qaida in Iraq claimed responsibility. Ukraine's Election Commission declared Viktor Yushchenko the winner of the presidential vote.

Five years ago: Data showed China edging past Germany in 2009 to become the top exporting nation. NBC announced it had decided to cancel "The Jay Leno Show," returning Leno from prime time to 11:35 p.m. Eastern time while pushing "The Tonight Show" with Conan O'Brien back to 12:05 a.m. (O'Brien ended up leaving NBC, and Leno resumed hosting "Tonight.")

One year ago: The Labor Department reported that U.S. employers added just 74,000 jobs in December 2013. Larry Speakes, who'd spent six years as acting press secretary for President Ronald Reagan, died in Cleveland, Mississippi, at age 74.

Today's Birthdays: Opera singer Sherrill Milnes is 80. Blues artist Eddy Clearwater is 80. Rock singer-musician Ronnie Hawkins is 80. Baseball Hall of Famer Willie McCovey is 77. Movie director Walter Hill is 75. Actor William Sanderson is 71. Singer Frank Sinatra Jr. is 71. Singer Rod Stewart is 70. Rock singer-musician Donald Fagen (Steely Dan) is 67. Boxing Hall of Famer and entrepreneur George Foreman is 66. Roots rock singer Alejandro Escovedo is 64. Rock musician Scott Thurston (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers) is 63. Singer Pat Benatar is 62. Hall of Fame race car driver and team owner Bobby Rahal is 62. Rock musician Michael Schenker is 60. Singer Shawn Colvin is 59. Rock singer-musician Curt Kirkwood (Meat Puppets) is 56. Actor Evan Handler is 54. Rock singer Brad Roberts (Crash Test Dummies) is 51. Actress Trini Alvarado is 48. Rock musician Matt Roberts is 37. Rock singer Brent Smith (Shinedown) is 37. Rapper Chris Smith (Kris Kross) is 36. Actress Sarah Shahi is 35.

Thought for Today: "You got to look on the bright side, even if there ain't one." -- Dashiell Hammett, American author (born 1894, died this date in 1961).

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