Today in History

Today in History

Today is Sunday, April 10, the 101st day of 2016. There are 265 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On April 10, 1916, the Professional Golfers' Association of America was founded in New York.

On this date:

In 1790, President George Washington signed the first United States Patent Act.

In 1866, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was incorporated.

In 1912, the RMS Titanic set sail from Southampton, England, on its ill-fated maiden voyage.

In 1925, the novel "The Great Gatsby," F. Scott Fitzgerald's Jazz Age evocation of empty materialism, shattered illusion and thwarted romance, was first published by Scribner's of New York.

In 1932, German President Paul Von Hindenburg was re-elected in a runoff, with Adolf Hitler coming in second.

In 1947, Brooklyn Dodgers President Branch Rickey purchased the contract of Jackie Robinson from the Montreal Royals.

In 1953, the 3-D horror movie "House of Wax," produced by Warner Bros. and starring Vincent Price, premiered in New York.

In 1966, English author Evelyn Waugh, 62, died in Combe Florey, Somerset, England.

In 1974, Golda Meir told party leaders she was resigning as prime minister of Israel.

In 1985, singer Madonna launched "The Virgin Tour" with a concert at the Paramount Theater in Seattle.

In 1998, the Northern Ireland peace talks concluded as negotiators reached a landmark settlement to end 30 years of bitter rivalries and bloody attacks.

In 2010, Polish President Lech Kaczynski, 60, was killed in a plane crash in western Russia that also claimed the lives of his wife and top Polish political, military and church officials.

Ten years ago: Former Enron Chief Executive Jeffrey Skilling began testifying in his fraud and conspiracy trial in Houston, declaring himself "absolutely innocent." (Skilling was convicted on 19 counts and sentenced to more than 24 years in prison; his sentence was reduced by a decade in 2013.) Hundreds of thousands of people demanding U.S. citizenship for immigrants who were in the country illegally took to the streets in dozens of cities from New York to San Diego. French President Jacques Chirac caved in to protesters, canceling a law on youth employment that had fueled nationwide unrest.

Five years ago: In the first remarks since his ouster, former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak denied allegations that he had used his position to amass wealth and property. Bob Dylan performed a concert in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. Charl Schwartzel won the Masters by two strokes over Adam Scott and Jason Day after a wild final round at Augusta National; the 26-year-old South African closed with four straight birdies, making a 20-footer at the final hole to wrap up a 6-under 66.

One year ago: During the National Rifle Association's annual convention in Nashville, Tennessee, a succession of potential Republican presidential rivals slung criticism and cracked jokes about Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton, who was expected to announce her White House candidacy. The Apple Watch made its debut.

Today's Birthdays: Actor Max von Sydow is 87. Actress Liz Sheridan is 87. Sportscaster John Madden is 80. Reggae artist Bunny Wailer is 69. Actor Steven Seagal is 65. Folk-pop singer Terre Roche (The Roches) is 63. Actor Peter MacNicol is 62. Actress Olivia Brown is 59. Rock musician Steven Gustafson (10,000 Maniacs) is 59. Singer-producer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds is 58. Rock singer-musician Brian Setzer is 57. Rapper Afrika Bambaataa is 56. Rock singer Katrina Leskanich is 56. Actor Jeb Adams is 55. Olympic gold medal speedskater Cathy Turner is 54. Rock musician Tim "Herb" Alexander is 51. Actor-comedian Orlando Jones is 48. Rock musician Mike Mushok (Staind) is 47. Singer Kenny Lattimore is 46. Rapper Q-Tip (AKA Kamaal) is 46. Blues singer Shemekia Copeland is 37. Actress Laura Bell Bundy is 35. Actress Chyler Leigh is 34. Pop musician Andrew Dost (fun.) is 33. Actor Ryan Merriman is 33. Singer Mandy Moore is 32. Actor Barkhad Abdi (is 31. Actress Shay Mitchell is 29. Actor Haley Joel Osment is 28. Actor Alex Pettyfer is 26. Actress-singer AJ (AKA Amanda) Michalka is 25. Actress Daisy Ridley (Film: "Star Wars: The Force Awakens") is 24. Actress Ruby Jerins is 18.

Thought for Today: "Your actions, and your actions alone, determine your worth." -- Evelyn Waugh (1903-1966).