June 26th

Today's Highlight in History:
On June 26th, 1900, a commission that included Dr. Walter Reed began the fight against the deadly disease yellow fever.

On this date:
In 1870, the first section of Atlantic City, New Jersey's Boardwalk was opened to the public.

In 1917, the first troops of the American Expeditionary Force arrived in France during World War One.

In 1919, the New York Daily News was first published.

In 1925, Charlie Chaplin's classic comedy, "The Gold Rush," premiered at Grauman's Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.

In 1945, the charter of the United Nations was signed by 50 countries in San Francisco.

In 1948, the Berlin Airlift began in earnest after the Soviet Union cut off land and water routes to the isolated western sector of Berlin.

In 1959, President Eisenhower joined Britain's Queen Elizabeth the Second in ceremonies officially opening the St. Lawrence Seaway.

In 1963, President Kennedy visited West Berlin, where he made his famous declaration: "Ich bin ein Berliner" (I am a Berliner).

In 1968, Chief US Justice Earl Warren announced his intention to resign.

In 1975, citing what she called a "deep and widespread conspiracy" against her government, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency.

Ten years ago: President Bush, who'd campaigned for office on a pledge of "no new taxes," conceded that tax increases would have to be included in any deficit-reduction package worked out with congressional negotiators. African National Congress leader Nelson Mandela addressed the US Congress, asking for "material resources" to hasten the end of white-led rule.

Five years ago: Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak escaped an attempt on his life in Ethiopia. The Supreme Court ruled, 6-to-3, that public schools can require drug tests for its athletes. President Clinton observed the 50th anniversary of the United Nations at the site of its birth in San Francisco.

One year ago: An advance contingent of Russian troops flew into Kosovo to help reopen a strategic airport and join an uneasy alliance with NATO peacekeepers.

"When a diplomat says yes, he means perhaps; when he says perhaps, he means no; when he says no, he is no diplomat."

-- Anonymous.