Sunday, August 16, 2009

Today in History:

• Cyprus: was granted independence from Britain (1960)
• Joseph Kittinger: USAF pilot set records for a parachute jump, including fastest speed by a person through the atmosphere — 614 mph/988 kph (1960)
• Elvis Presley: The King was found dead of heart failure at his Memphis estate, Graceland (1977)

Today's Birthdays:

• T. E. Lawrence (1888-1935): archeologist, soldier and author; plus, writers Jules Laforgue (1860-1887) and Wallace Henry Thurman (1902-1934)
• Menachem Begin (1913-1992): former Israeli PM
• Frank Gifford (79): football star/sports commentator; today is also the birthday of his wife, Kathie Lee Gifford (56)
• Suzanne Farrell (64): ballet dancer
• James Cameron (55): film director, Titanic
• Madonna (51): pop star, "Material Girl"; other musicians born today are Eydie Gorme (78), Billy Joe Shaver (70), Tim Farriss(52), Emily Robison (37) and Ashton Shepherd (23)
• Steve Carell (47): The Office's boss, Michael Scott; also, actors Fess Parker (85), Robert Culp (79), Julie Newmar (76), Anita Gillette (73), Bob Balaban (64), Lesley Ann Warren(63), Reginald VelJohnson (57), Angela Bassett (51), Laura Innes (50), Timothy Hutton(49), George Stults (34) and Shawn Pyfrom