June 24th

Today's Highlight in History:
On June 24th, 1908, the 22nd and 24th president of the United States, Grover Cleveland, died in Princeton, New Jersey, at age 71.

On this date:
In 1497, the first recorded sighting of North America by a European took place as explorer John Cabot spotted land, probably in present-day Canada.

In 1509, Henry the Eighth was crowned king of England.

In 1793, the first republican constitution in France was adopted.

In 1842, author-journalist Ambrose Bierce was born in Meigs County, Ohio.

In 1915, more than 800 people died when the excursion steamer "Eastland" capsized at Chicago's Clark Street dock.

In 1940, France signed an armistice with Italy during World War Two.

In 1948, Communist forces cut off all land and water routes between West Germany and West Berlin, prompting the western allies to organize the massive Berlin Airlift.

In 1968, "Resurrection City," a shantytown constructed as part of the Poor People's March on Washington DC, was closed down by authorities.

In 1975, 113 people were killed when an Eastern Airlines Boeing 727 crashed while attempting to land during a thunderstorm at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport.

In 1987, comedian-actor Jackie Gleason died at his home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at age 71.

Ten years ago: Health and Human Services Secretary Louis Sullivan was virtually drowned out by jeering demonstrators as he addressed the Sixth International AIDS conference in San Francisco. South African black nationalist Nelson Mandela arrived in Washington.

Five years ago: In his weekly radio address, President Clinton blamed the failed nomination of Dr. Henry Foster to be surgeon general on right-wing extremists who, he said, would "stop at nothing" to outlaw abortion. The New Jersey Devils won the Stanley Cup as they completed a sweep of the Detroit Red Wings.

One year ago: Union organizers claimed victory after workers at six Fieldcrest Cannon mills in North Carolina voted to be represented by the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees. Testimony wound to an end after 76 days in the landmark Microsoft antitrust trial.

"Self-denial is indulgence of a propensity to forego."

-- Ambrose Bierce, American author-journalist (1842-1914?).