Today in History

Today is Friday, August 14, the 226th day of 2015. There are 139 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On August 14, 1945, President Harry S. Truman announced that Imperial Japan had surrendered unconditionally, ending World War II.

On this date:

In 1848, the Oregon Territory was created.

In 1900, international forces, including U.S. Marines, entered Beijing to put down the Boxer Rebellion, which was aimed at purging China of foreign influence.

In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law.

In 1944, the federal government allowed the manufacture of certain domestic appliances, such as electric ranges and vacuum cleaners, to resume on a limited basis.

In 1947, Pakistan became independent of British rule.

In 1951, newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst, 88, died in Beverly Hills, California.

In 1969, British troops went to Northern Ireland to intervene in sectarian violence between Protestants and Roman Catholics.

In 1973, U.S. bombing of Cambodia came to a halt.

In 1975, the cult classic movie musical "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," starring Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick, had its world premiere in London.

In 1980, workers went on strike at the Lenin Shipyard in Gdansk, Poland, in a job action that resulted in creation of the Solidarity labor movement. Actress-model Dorothy Stratten, 20, was shot to death by her estranged husband and manager, Paul Snider, who then killed himself.

In 1989, South African President P.W. Botha announced his resignation after losing a bitter power struggle within his National Party.

In 1995, Shannon Faulkner officially became the first female cadet in the history of The Citadel, South Carolina's state military college. (However, Faulkner quit the school less than a week later, citing the stress of her court fight, and her isolation among the male cadets.)

Ten years ago: Israel sealed the Gaza Strip to Israeli civilians, signaling the start of the historic withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. A Cypriot plane crashed into a hill north of Athens, killing all 121 people on board. First lady Laura Bush announced that Cristeta Comerford had been chosen to be the new White House executive chef, the first woman to hold the post.

Five years ago: A day after weighing in on the issue, President Barack Obama repeated that Muslims had the right to build a mosque near New York's ground zero, but said he was not commenting on the "wisdom" of such a choice. Eight people leaving a party at a downtown Buffalo, New York, restaurant were shot, four fatally, including a Texas man who'd returned to his hometown to celebrate his first wedding anniversary. (Former gang member Riccardo McCray was later convicted of first-degree murder and attempted murder, and sentenced to life without parole.) A truck overturned during an off-road race in the Mojave Desert, killing eight spectators.

One year ago: Nouri al-Malaki, Iraq's prime minister for eight years, relinquished the post to his nominated successor, ending a political deadlock. Pope Francis called for renewed efforts to forge peace on the war-divided Korean Peninsula as he opened a five-day visit to South Korea. Rob Manfred was elected baseball's 10th commissioner, winning a three-man race to succeed Bud Selig. San Francisco said goodbye to Candlestick Park -- the stadium where the city's beloved Giants and 49ers celebrated some of their greatest triumphs -- with an evening concert by former Beatle Paul McCartney.

Today's Birthdays: Broadway lyricist Lee Adams ("Bye Bye Birdie") is 91. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Russell Baker is 90. Singer Buddy Greco is 89. College Football Hall of Famer John Brodie is 80. Singer Dash Crofts is 77. Rock singer David Crosby is 74. Country singer Connie Smith is 74. Comedian-actor Steve Martin is 70. Actor Antonio Fargas is 69. Singer-musician Larry Graham is 69. Actress Susan Saint James is 69. Actor David Schramm is 69. Author Danielle Steel is 68. Rock singer-musician Terry Adams (NRBQ) is 65. "Far Side" cartoonist Gary Larson is 65. Actor Carl Lumbly is 64. Olympic gold medal swimmer Debbie Meyer is 63. Actress Jackee Harry is 59. Actress Marcia Gay Harden is 56. Basketball Hall of Famer Earvin "Magic" Johnson is 56. Singer Sarah Brightman is 55. Actress Susan Olsen is 54. Actress-turned-fashion/interior designer Cristi Conaway is 51. Rock musician Keith Howland (Chicago) is 51. Actress Halle Berry is 49. Actor Ben Bass (TV: "Rookie Blue") is 47. Actress Catherine Bell is 47. Country musician Cody McCarver (Confederate Railroad) is 47. Rock musician Kevin Cadogan is 45. Actor Scott Michael Campbell is 44. Actress Lalanya Masters is 43. Actor Christopher Gorham is 41. Actress Mila Kunis is 32. Actor Lamorne Morris (TV: "New Girl") is 32. TV personality Spencer Pratt is 32. NFL quarterback Tim Tebow is 28.

Thought for Today: "There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else." -- James Thurber, American author and cartoonist (1894-1961).

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