On this Day

Friday, June 24th
The 175th day of 2005
There are 190 days left in the year

Today's Highlights in History

On June 24, 1997, the Air Force released a report on the so-called "Roswell Incident," suggesting the alien bodies witnesses reported seeing in 1947 were actually life-sized dummies. (Go to article.)

On June 24, 1895, Jack Dempsey, the American world heavyweight boxing champion from 1919 to 1926, was born. Following his death on May 31, 1983, his obituary appeared in The Times. (Go to obit. Other Birthdays)

On June 24, 1905, Harper's Weekly featured a cartoon about President Theodore Roosevelt's mediation to end the Russo-Japanese War. (See the cartoon and read an explanation.)


Reference: The New York Times



The follwowing courtesy Iraq War Today

Today in History
1314 - At the Battle of Bannockburn, Scotland regains independence from England.
1322 - Jews are expelled from France
1509 - King Henry VIII of England is crowned.
1540 - Henry VIII divorces his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves.
1793 - In France, the first republican constitution is adopted.
1813 - Battle of Beaver Dam (War of 1812)
1861 - Tennessee becomes the eleventh, and final, state to secede.
1898 - American troops drive Spanish forces from La Guasimas, Cuba.
1930 - Radar detection of planes is first used in Anacostia NAS, DC.
1932 - In Thailand, a coup ends in the establishment of an absolute monarchy.
1939 - Pan Am Airlines makes its first U.S.-to-England flight.
1940 - France signs an armistice with Italy.
1947 - While searching for the wreckage of a U.S. Marine transport plane, civilian pilot Ken Arnold reports sighting nine unknown objects over Mt. Rainier; reporters term them "flying saucers" - it sticks.
1948 - The Soviet Union begins the Berlin Blockade; the Berlin Airlift begins.
1966 - The period of (relative) peace following WW II exceeds that following WW I.
1968 - The deadline for redeeming silver certificate dollars for silver bullion.
1977 - The IRS reveals that Jimmy Carter paid no taxes in 1976.
1982 - The Equal Rights Amendment is defeated; Soyuz T-16 lifts off.
1983 - Chalenger 2 lands at Edwards AFB after the 7th Space Shuttle mission.
1985 - Discovery 5 returns after the 18th Space Shuttle mission.
1986 - In Alabama, Guy Hunt is elected (the first Republican governor of that state in more than 100 years).

Birthdays
1842 - Ambrose Bierce US, satirist (The Devil's Dictionary)
1946 - Ellison S. Onizuka, Major, USAF/astronaut (STS 51C, 51L-Challenger disaster)

Passings
1908 - Grover Cleveland, 22nd & 24th U.S. President
1922 - Dr. Walter Rathenau, German foreign minister, killed by anti-semites
1971 - Kenneth Washington, actor (Sgt Baker-"Hogan's Heroes')

Reported Missing in Action
1965
Van Campen, Thomas C. , US Army (CA); wounded and separated from unit when it came under enemy sniper fire, believed KIA, body not recovered.
1966
Ellis, William, US Army (SC); disappeared while going to get help for a wounded Soldier.
1967
Sherman, Robert C., USMC (IL); Died in captivity November 1968, remains recovered March, 1985
1968
Carpenter, Nicholas Mallor, USN (OH); A6A shot down, remains returned September, 1990
Mobley, Joseph S., USN (IN); A6A shot down ( ejected), released by DRV March, 1973 - alive as of 1998
1972
Beekman, William D. USAF (OH); F4 shot down, released by DRV March, 1973 - retired as a Colonel - alive as of 1996
Grant, David B., USAF (TN); F4 shot down, released by DRV March, 1973 - retired as a Lt. Colonel - alive and well as of 1998
Jackson, Charles A. , USAF (WV); F4D shot down by air-to-air missile, released by DRV February, 1973 (injured) - alive and well as of 1998
McCarty, James L., USAF (TX); F4D shot down by air-to-air missile, remains returned September, 1990 - ID'd June, 1997