Today in history
By The Associated Press
Today is Tuesday, Feb. 12, the 43rd day of 2008. 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, Ky.
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 1870, women in the Utah Territory gained the right to vote. (However, that right was taken away in 1887).
In 1908, the first round-the-world automobile race began in New York. (It ended in Paris the following July with the drivers of the American car, a Thomas Flyer, declared the winners over teams from Germany and Italy.)
In 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was founded.
In 1915, the cornerstone for the Lincoln Memorial was laid in Washington, D.C., a year to the day after groundbreaking.
In 1940, the radio play "The Adventures of Superman" debuted with Bud Collyer as the Man of Steel.
In 1973, Operation Homecoming began as the first release of American prisoners of war from the Vietnam conflict took place.
In 1999, the Senate acquitted President Clinton of perjury and obstruction of justice.
Ten years ago: A federal judge threw out President Clinton's new line-item veto authority. At Nagano, Japan, Norwegian Bjorn Daehlie became the first man to win six Winter Olympic gold medals, as he placed first in the 10-kilometer classical cross-country race.
Five years ago: The U.N. nuclear agency declared North Korea in violation of international treaties, sending the dispute to the Security Council.
One year ago: Teen gunman Sulejman Talovic shot nine people, killing five, at a Salt Lake City mall before he was shot and killed by police.
Today's Birthdays: Movie director Franco Zeffirelli is 85. Actor Louis Zorich is 84. Baseball Hall-of-Fame sportscaster Joe Garagiola is 82. Sen. Arlen Specter is 78. Basketball Hall-of-Famer Bill Russell is 74. Actor Joe Don Baker is 72. Author Judy Blume is 70. Rock musician Ray Manzarek is 69. Country singer Moe Bandy is 64. Actress Maud Adams is 63. Actor Cliff DeYoung is 63. Actor Michael Ironside is 58. Rock musician Steve Hackett is 58. Rock singer Michael McDonald is 56. Actress Joanna Kerns is 55. Actor-former talk show host Arsenio Hall is 53. Actress Christine Elise is 43. Actor Josh Brolin is 40. Singer Chynna Phillips is 40. Rock musician Jim Creeggan is 38. Rhythm-and-blues musician Keri Lewis is 37. Actor Jesse Spencer is 29. Actress Sarah Lancaster is 28. Actress Christina Ricci is 28.
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).