January 13th

Today's Highlight in History:
On January 13th, 1794, President Washington approved a measure adding two stars and two stripes to the American flag, following the admission of Vermont and Kentucky to the union. (The number of stripes was later reduced to 13 again.)

On this date:
In 1864, composer Stephen Foster died in New York.

In 1893, Britain's Independent Labor Party (a precursor to the current Labor Party) held its first meeting.

In 1898, Emile Zola's famous defense of Captain Alfred Dreyfus, "J'accuse," was published in Paris.

In 1941, novelist James Joyce died in Zurich, Switzerland.

In 1962, comedian Ernie Kovacs died in a car crash in west Los Angeles.

In 1966, Robert C. Weaver became the first black Cabinet member as he was appointed Secretary of Housing and Urban Development by President Johnson.

In 1978, former Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey died in Waverly, Minnesota, at age 66.

In 1982, an Air Florida 737 crashed into Washington DC's 14th Street Bridge after takeoff and fell into the Potomac River, killing 78 people.

In 1992, Japan apologized for forcing tens of thousands of Korean women to serve as sex slaves for Japanese soldiers during World War Two.

In 1993, former East German leader Erich Honecker was freed from prison and allowed to leave for Chile.

Ten years ago: L. Douglas Wilder of Virginia became the nation's first elected black governor as he took the oath of office in Richmond.

Five years ago: Italy named Treasury Minister Lamberto Dini its new prime minister. Authorities in the Philippines said they had unearthed a conspiracy by militant Muslims to assassinate Pope John Paul the Second during his visit.

One year ago: President Clinton's legal team dispatched a formal trial brief to the Senate, arguing that neither "fact or law" warranted his removal from office; House officials sent the Senate all public evidence in the case. Michael Jordan announced his retirement from the Chicago Bulls.

"If all mankind minus one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind."

-- John Stuart Mill, English philosopher (1806-1873).