Today in History

Today is Friday, May 29, the 149th day of 2015. There are 216 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On May 29, 1765, Patrick Henry denounced the Stamp Act before Virginia's House of Burgesses.

On this date:

In 1790, Rhode Island became the 13th original colony to ratify the United States Constitution.

In 1848, Wisconsin became the 30th state of the union.

In 1912, the ballet "L'Apres-midi d'un Faune" (The Afternoon of a Faun), with music by Claude Debussy, premiered in Paris with Vaslav Nijinsky dancing the title role.

In 1913, the ballet "Le Sacre du printemps" (The Rite of Spring), with music by Igor Stravinsky and choreography by Vaslav Nijinsky, had its chaotic world premiere in Paris. The D.H. Lawrence novel "Sons and Lovers" was first published by Duckworth & Co. of London, albeit in an expurgated version.

In 1917, the 35th president of the United States, John F. Kennedy, was born in Brookline, Massachusetts.

In 1932, World War I veterans began arriving in Washington to demand cash bonuses they weren't scheduled to receive until 1945.

In 1943, Norman Rockwell's portrait of "Rosie the Riveter" appeared on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post. (The model for Rockwell's Rosie, Mary Doyle Keefe, died in April 2015 at age 92.)

In 1953, Mount Everest was conquered as Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tensing Norgay of Nepal became the first climbers to reach the summit.

In 1961, a couple in Paynesville, West Virginia, became the first recipients of food stamps under a pilot program created by President John F. Kennedy.

In 1973, Tom Bradley was elected the first black mayor of Los Angeles, defeating incumbent Sam Yorty.

In 1985, 39 people were killed at the European Cup Final in Brussels, Belgium, when rioting broke out and a wall separating British and Italian soccer fans collapsed.

In 1995, Margaret Chase Smith, the first woman to serve in both the House and the Senate, died in Skowhegan, Maine, at age 97.

Ten years ago: French voters soundly rejected the European Union's proposed constitution, which was also defeated by the Dutch days later. In a deadly rampage at two farmhouses in Bellefontaine, Ohio, 18-year-old Scott Moody shot his grandparents, his mother and two friends before turning the gun on himself. Dan Wheldon won the Indianapolis 500 as Danica Patrick's electrifying run fell short (she finished fourth).

Five years ago: Dennis Hopper, the high-flying Hollywood wildman whose memorable career included an early turn in "Rebel Without A Cause" and an improbable smash hit with "Easy Rider," died in Los Angeles at age 74. Philadelphia's Roy Halladay threw the 20th perfect game in major league history, beating the Florida Marlins 1-0.

One year ago: Saying he wanted kids to play sports but play safely, President Barack Obama called for more and better research into the effects and treatment of concussions in youth athletes during a summit at the White House. The Food and Drug Administration required tanning beds and sun lamps to carry new warnings that they should not be used by anyone under age 18. Shelly Sterling signed a binding contract to sell the Los Angeles Clippers to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer for a record-breaking $2 billion. Actor and human rights activist Karlheinz Boehm, 86, died near Salzburg, Austria.

Today's Birthdays: Former Baseball Commissioner Fay Vincent is 77. Motorsports Hall of Famer Al Unser is 76. Actor Kevin Conway is 73. Actor Helmut Berger is 71. Rock singer Gary Brooker (Procol Harum) is 70. Actor Anthony Geary is 68. Actor Cotter Smith is 66. Singer Rebbie Jackson is 65. Movie composer Danny Elfman is 62. Presidential assailant John W. Hinckley Jr. is 60. Singer LaToya Jackson is 59. Actor Ted Levine is 58. Actress Annette Bening is 57. Actor Rupert Everett is 56. Actor Adrian Paul is 56. Singer Melissa Etheridge is 54. Actress Lisa Whelchel is 52. Actress Tracey Bregman is 52. Rock musician Noel Gallagher is 48. Singer Jayski McGowan (Quad City DJ's) is 48. Actor Anthony Azizi is 46. Rock musician Chan Kinchla (Blues Traveler) is 46. Rock musician Mark Lee (Third Day) is 42. Cartoonist Aaron McGruder ("The Boondocks") is 41. Singer Melanie Brown (Spice Girls) is 40. Rapper Playa Poncho is 40. Latin singer Fonseca is 36. Actor Blake Foster is 30. Actor Brandon Mychal Smith is 26. Actress Kristen Alderson is 24. Actress Lorelei Linklater (Film: "Boyhood") is 22.

Thought for Today: "When we recall the past, we usually find that it is the simplest things -- not the great occasions -- that in retrospect give off the greatest glow of happiness." -- British-born American comedian Bob Hope (born this date in 1903, died 2003).

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