Today in History

Today is Monday, May 25, the 145th day of 2015. There are 220 days left in the year. This is the Memorial Day observance.

Today's Highlight in History:

On May 25, 1965, Muhammad Ali knocked out Sonny Liston in the first round of their world heavyweight title rematch in Lewiston, Maine. (Ali's victory generated controversy over whether he'd truly connected when he sent Liston crashing to the canvas with a right to the head, or whether it was a "phantom punch," implying that the fight had been fixed.)

On this date:

In 1787, the Constitutional Convention began at the Pennsylvania State House (Independence Hall) in Philadelphia after enough delegates had shown up for a quorum.

In 1810, Argentina began its revolt against Spanish rule with the forming of the Primera Junta in Buenos Aires.

In 1895, playwright Oscar Wilde was convicted of a morals charge in London; he was sentenced to two years in prison.

In 1935, Babe Ruth hit his last three career home runs -- Nos. 712, 713 and 714 -- for the Boston Braves in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. (The Pirates won, 11-7.)

In 1942, U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Joseph Stilwell, frustrated over being driven out of Burma by Japanese troops during World War II, told reporters in Delhi, India: "I claim we got a hell of a beating."

In 1946, Transjordan (now Jordan) became a kingdom as it proclaimed its new monarch, Abdullah I.

In 1959, the U.S. Supreme Court, in State Athletic Commission v. Dorsey, struck down a Louisiana law prohibiting interracial boxing matches. (The case had been brought by Joseph Dorsey Jr., a black professional boxer.)

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy told Congress: "I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth."

In 1968, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis was dedicated by Vice President Hubert Humphrey and Interior Secretary Stewart Udall.

In 1979, 273 people died when an American Airlines DC-10 crashed just after takeoff from Chicago's O'Hare Airport. Six-year-old Etan Patz disappeared while on his way to a school bus stop in lower Manhattan.

In 1985, more than 11,000 people were killed as a cyclone and tidal surge devastated Bangladesh.

In 1992, Jay Leno made his debut as host of NBC's "Tonight Show," succeeding Johnny Carson.

Ten years ago: Texas Supreme Court Justice Priscilla Owen won Senate confirmation as a federal appeals judge after a ferocious four-year battle. The defense rested in the Michael Jackson child molestation trial without calling the pop star, who ended up being acquitted. Carrie Underwood was crowned the winner of the fourth season of "American Idol" on Fox TV over Bo Bice. Ismail Merchant, half of the prestigious Merchant-Ivory filmmaking team, died in London at age 68.

Five years ago: President Barack Obama ordered 1,200 National Guard troops to boost security along the U.S.-Mexico border. NFL owners voted to hold the 2014 Super Bowl at Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Nicole Scherzinger of The Pussycat Dolls and her professional dance partner, Derek Hough, won the 10th season of ABC's "Dancing with the Stars."

One year ago: President Barack Obama slipped into Afghanistan for a surprise visit, making clear the U.S. would likely maintain a limited role there even after its combat mission ended later in the year. Pope Francis arrived in Bethlehem where, in a symbolic nod to Palestinians' aspirations for their own state, he called the stalemate in peace talks "unacceptable" and stopped briefly to pray at the Israeli separation barrier surrounding the biblical West Bank town. Josh Beckett pitched the first no-hitter of his career and the first of the season, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers over the Philadelphia Phillies 6-0. Ryan Hunter-Reay became the first American to win the Indianapolis 500 since 2006, making a dramatic pass of Helio Castroneves on the final lap.

Today's Birthdays: Actress Ann Robinson (TV/Film: "War of the Worlds"; "Dragnet") is 86. Former White House news secretary Ron Nessen is 81. Author W.P. Kinsella is 80. Country singer-songwriter Tom T. Hall is 79. Actor Sir Ian McKellen is 76. Country singer Jessi Colter is 72. Actress-singer Leslie Uggams is 72. Movie director and Muppeteer Frank Oz is 71. Actress Karen Valentine is 68. Actress Jacki Weaver is 68. Rock singer Klaus Meine (The Scorpions) is 67. Actress Patti D'Arbanville is 64. Playwright Eve Ensler ("The Vagina Monologues") is 62. Actress Connie Sellecca is 60. Rock singer-musician Paul Weller is 57. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., is 55. Actor-comedian Mike Myers is 52. Actor Matt Borlenghi is 48. Actor Joseph Reitman is 47. Rock musician Glen Drover is 46. Actress Anne Heche is 46. Actresses Lindsay and Sidney Greenbush (TV: "Little House on the Prairie") are 45. Actor-comedian Jamie Kennedy is 45. Actress Octavia Spencer is 45. Actor Justin Henry is 44. Rapper Daz Dillinger is 42. Actress Molly Sims is 42. Singer Lauryn Hill is 40. Actress Erinn Hayes is 39. Actor Cillian Murphy is 39. Actor Ethan Suplee is 39. Rock musician Todd Whitener is 37. Actor Corbin Allred is 36. Actress-singer Lauren Frost is 30. Musician Guy Lawrence (Disclosure) is 24. 1991 Olympic gold medal gymnast Aly Raisman is 21.

Thought for Today: "I hate quotations. Tell me what you know." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson, American essayist and poet (1803-1882).

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