Today in History

Today is Friday, Feb. 12, the 43rd day of 2016. There are 323 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On Feb. 12, 1809, Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, was born in present-day Larue County, Kentucky.

On this date:

In 1554, Lady Jane Grey, who'd claimed the throne of England for nine days, and her husband, Guildford Dudley, were beheaded after being condemned for high treason.

In 1818, Chile officially proclaimed its independence, more than seven years after initially renouncing Spanish rule.

In 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was founded.

In 1914, groundbreaking took place for the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

In 1915, the cornerstone was laid for the Lincoln Memorial.

In 1924, George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" premiered in New York.

In 1940, the radio play "The Adventures of Superman" debuted with Bud Collyer as the Man of Steel.

In 1959, the redesigned Lincoln penny -- with an image of the Lincoln Memorial replacing two ears of wheat on the reverse side -- went into circulation.

In 1963, a Northwest Orient Airlines Boeing 720 broke up during severe turbulence and crashed into the Florida Everglades, killing all 43 people aboard.

In 1973, Operation Homecoming began as the first release of American prisoners of war from the Vietnam conflict took place.

In 1999, the Senate voted to acquit President Bill Clinton of perjury and obstruction of justice.

In 2000, Charles M. Schulz, creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip, died in Santa Rosa, California, at age 77. Hall-of-Fame football coach Tom Landry, who'd led the Dallas Cowboys to five Super Bowls, died in Irving, Texas, at age 75. Michelle Kwan won her third straight U.S. Figure Skating Championships crown, while Michael Weiss successfully defended the men's title.

Ten years ago: A record 26.9 inches of snow fell in New York's Central Park over a two-day period. Figure skater Michelle Kwan effectively retired from competition as she withdrew from the Turin Olympics due to injury (she was replaced on the U.S. team by Emily Hughes). Snowboarder Shaun White beat American teammate Danny Kass to win the Olympic gold medal.

Five years ago: Thousands of Algerians defied government warnings and dodged barricades in their capital, demanding democratic reforms; demonstrations continued in Yemen as well. Death claimed actress Betty Garrett, 91, and actor Kenneth Mars, 75.

One year ago: European leaders agreed on a truce to halt fighting in eastern Ukraine between government forces and Russian-backed separatist rebels.

Today's Birthdays: Movie director Franco Zeffirelli is 93. Actor Louis Zorich is 92. Baseball Hall-of-Fame sportscaster Joe Garagiola is 90. Movie director Costa-Gavras is 83. Basketball Hall-of-Famer Bill Russell is 82. Actor Joe Don Baker is 80. Author Judy Blume is 78. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak is 74. Country singer Moe Bandy is 72. Actress Maud Adams is 71. Actor Cliff DeYoung is 70. Actor Michael Ironside is 66. Rock musician Steve Hackett is 66. Rock singer Michael McDonald is 64. Actress Joanna Kerns is 63. Actor-talk show host Arsenio Hall is 60. Actor John Michael Higgins is 53. Actor Raphael Sbarge is 52. Actress Christine Elise is 51. Actor Josh Brolin is 48. Singer Chynna Phillips is 48. Rock musician Jim Creeggan (Barenaked Ladies) is 46. Rhythm-and-blues musician Keri Lewis is 45. Actor Jesse Spencer is 37. Actress Sarah Lancaster is 36. Actress Christina Ricci is 36. NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III is 26. Actress Jennifer Stone is 23. Actresses Baylie and Rylie Cregut (TV: "Raising Hope") are six.

Thought for Today: "Men make history and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still." -- President Harry S. Truman (1884-1972).