June ninth

Today's Highlight in History:
On June ninth, A.D. 68, the Roman Emperor Nero committed suicide.

On this date:
In 1870, author Charles Dickens died in Godshill, England.

In 1940, Norway surrendered to the Nazis during World War Two.

In 1953, about 100 people died when a tornado struck Worcester, Massachusetts.

In 1954, Army counsel Joseph N. Welch asked Senator Joseph R. McCarthy, "Have you no sense of decency, sir?" during the Senate-Army Hearings.

In 1969, the US Senate confirmed Warren Burger to be the new chief justice of the United States, succeeding Earl Warren.

In 1973, "Secretariat" became horse racing's first Triple Crown winner in 25 years by winning the Belmont Stakes.

In 1980, comedian Richard Pryor suffered almost fatal burns at his San Fernando Valley, California, home when a mixture of "free-base" cocaine exploded.

In 1985, American educator Thomas Sutherland was kidnapped in Lebanon -- he was released in November 1991 along with fellow hostage Terry Waite.

In 1986, the Rogers Commission released its report on the "Challenger" disaster, criticizing NASA and rocket-builder Morton Thiokol for management problems leading to the explosion that claimed the lives of seven astronauts.

In 1993, Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito wed commoner Masako Owada in an elaborate Shinto religious ceremony.

Ten years ago: "Go and Go" won the 122nd running of the Belmont Stakes.

Five years ago: One week after being shot down over Bosnia by a Bosnian Serb missile, and a day after being rescued, US Air Force Captain Scott O'Grady was warmly welcomed by his comrades at Aviano Air Base in Italy.

One year ago: After 78 days of intense NATO airstrikes, Yugoslav and Western generals signed a pact clearing the way for a Kosovo peace plan. President Clinton instructed federal law agencies to collect race and gender data on people they stop or arrest, in a move to end racial profiling by police.

"History is a romance that is believed; romance, a history that is not believed."

-- Horace Walpole, English author (1717-1797).