Today in History

Today is Sunday, May 10, the 130th day of 2015. There are 235 days left in the year. This is Mother's Day.

Today's Highlight in History:

On May 10, 1865, Confederate President Jefferson Davis was captured by Union forces in Irwinville, Georgia.

On this date:

In 1775, Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys, along with Col. Benedict Arnold, captured the British-held fortress at Ticonderoga, New York.

In 1863, during the Civil War, Confederate Lt. Gen. Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson died of pneumonia, a complication resulting from being hit by friendly fire eight days earlier during the Battle of Chancellorsville in Virginia.

In 1869, a golden spike was driven in Promontory, Utah, marking the completion of the first transcontinental railroad in the United States.

In 1924, J. Edgar Hoover was named acting director of the Bureau of Investigation (later known as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, or FBI).

In 1933, the Nazis staged massive public book burnings in Germany.

In 1940, during World War II, German forces began invading the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium and France. The same day, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain resigned, and Winston Churchill formed a new government.

In 1960, the nuclear-powered submarine USS Triton completed its submerged navigation of the globe.

In 1975, Sony began selling its Betamax home videocassette recorder in Japan.

In 1977, actress Joan Crawford died in New York.

In 1984, the International Court of Justice said the United States should halt any actions to blockade Nicaragua's ports (the U.S. had already said it would not recognize World Court jurisdiction on this issue).

In 1994, Nelson Mandela took the oath of office in Pretoria to become South Africa's first black president. The state of Illinois executed serial killer John Wayne Gacy, 52, for the murders of 33 young men and boys.

In 1995, 104 miners were killed in an elevator accident in Orkney, South Africa. Former President George H.W. Bush's office released his letter of resignation from the National Rifle Association in which Bush expressed outrage over an NRA fund-raising letter's reference to federal agents as "jack-booted thugs." (NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre apologized a week later.)

Ten years ago: A federal bankruptcy judge approved United Airlines' plan to terminate its employees' pension plans. Cheered by tens of thousands in the former Soviet republic of Georgia, President George W. Bush urged the spread of democracy across the former communist world and beyond. Germany dedicated its new national Holocaust memorial. Gunmen kidnapped the governor of Iraq's Anbar province; the governor (Raja Nawaf Farhan al-Mahalawi) was later killed.

Five years ago: President Barack Obama introduced Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan, billing her as a unifying force for a fractured court. Sunday school teacher Melissa Huckaby, accused of kidnapping, raping and killing 8-year-old Sandra Cantu, pleaded guilty in Tracy, California, to murder. (Huckaby was later sentenced to life in prison, but has never revealed a motive.) The European Union put up a staggering $1 trillion to contain its spreading government debt crisis.

One year ago: First lady Michelle Obama, delivering the weekly presidential radio and Internet address in her husband's place, decried the kidnapping of scores of Nigerian schoolgirls by the group Boko Haram. Arkansas began issuing same-sex marriage licenses a day after a judge lifted a ban on such unions. Michael Sam was picked by the St. Louis Rams in the seventh round of the NFL draft, becoming the first openly gay player drafted by a pro football team.

Today's Birthdays: Author Barbara Taylor Bradford is 82. Rhythm-and-blues singer Henry Fambrough (The Spinners) is 77. Actor David Clennon is 72. Writer-producer-director Jim Abrahams is 71. Singer Donovan is 69. Singer-songwriter Graham Gouldman (10cc) is 69. Singer Dave Mason is 69. Actor Mike Hagerty is 61. Sports anchor Chris Berman is 60. Actor Bruce Penhall is 58. Former Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., is 57. Actress Victoria Rowell is 56. Rock singer Bono (U2) is 55. Rock musician Danny Carey (Tool) is 54. Actor Darryl M. Bell is 52. Playwright Suzan-Lori Parks is 52. Model Linda Evangelista is 50. Rapper Young MC is 48. Actor Erik Palladino is 47. Rock singer Richard Patrick (Filter) is 47. Actor Lenny Venito is 46. Actor Dallas Roberts is 45. Actress Leslie Stefanson is 44. Actor-singer Todd Lowe is 43. Country musician David Wallace (Cole Deggs and the Lonesome) is 43. Actress Andrea Anders is 40. Race car driver Helio Castroneves is 40. Rock musician Jesse Vest is 38. Actor Kenan Thompson is 37. Rhythm-and-blues singer Jason Dalyrimple (Soul For Real) is 35. Rock musician Joey Zehr (The Click Five) is 32. Singer Ashley Poole (Dream) is 30. Actress Odette Annable is 30. Actress Lindsey Shaw (TV: "Pretty Little Liars") is 26. Actress Lauren Potter is 25. Olympic gold medal swimmer Missy Franklin is 20.

Thought for Today: "When your mother asks, 'Do you want a piece of advice?' it is a mere formality. It doesn't matter if you answer yes or no. You're going to get it anyway." -- Erma Bombeck, American humorist (1927-1996).

Copyright 2015, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.