June 22nd

Today's Highlight in History:
On June 22nd, 1940, during World War Two, Adolf Hitler gained a stunning victory as France was forced to sign an armistice eight days after German forces overran Paris.

On this date:
In 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte abdicated a second time.

In 1868, Arkansas was re-admitted to the Union.

In 1870, Congress created the Department of Justice.

In 1911, Britain's King George the Fifth was crowned at Westminster Abbey.

In 1938, heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis knocked out Max Schmeling in the first round of their rematch at Yankee Stadium.

In 1944, President Roosevelt signed the "GI Bill of Rights."

In 1945, the World War Two battle for Okinawa officially ended; 12,520 Americans and 110,000 Japanese were killed in the 81-day campaign.

In 1969, singer-actress Judy Garland died in London at age 47.

In 1970, President Nixon signed a measure lowering the voting age to 18.

In 1993, former first lady Pat Nixon died in Park Ridge, New Jersey, at age 81.

Ten years ago: African National Congress leader Nelson Mandela addressed delegates at the United Nations, where he said victory for a democratic, non-racial South Africa was "within our grasp."

Five years ago: House and Senate Republicans announced agreement on a compromise seven-year budget-balancing plan that would cut taxes by $245 billion and slow spending for Medicare, Medicaid and dozens of other programs. Riot police stormed a hijacked jumbo jet in Hakodate, Japan, freeing all 364 people on board and capturing a lone hijacker.

One year ago: President Clinton visited ethnic Albanian refugees at a refugee camp in Macedonia. The Supreme Court ruled the Americans with Disabilities Act does not extend to people with poor eyesight or other correctable conditions.

"He, who will not reason, is a bigot; he, who cannot, is a fool; and he, who dares not, is a slave."

-- William Drummond, Scottish writer (1585-1649).