July fifth

Today's Highlight in History:
On July fifth, 1947, Larry Doby signed a contract with the Cleveland Indians, becoming the first black player in the American League.

On this date:
In 1801, American naval hero David G. Farragut was born in Knoxville, Tennessee.

In 1811, Venezuela became the first South American country to declare independence from Spain.

In 1830, the French occupied the North African city of Algiers.

In 1865, William Booth founded the Salvation Army in London.

In 1940, during World War Two, Britain and the Vichy government in France broke diplomatic relations.

In 1946, the bikini made its debut during an outdoor fashion show at the Molitor Pool in Paris.

In 1948, Britain's National Health Service Act went into effect, providing government-financed medical and dental care.

In 1950, Private Kenneth Shadrick of Skin Fork, West Virginia, became the first US serviceman to die in the Korean War.

In 1975, Arthur Ashe became the first black man to win a Wimbledon singles title as he defeated Jimmy Connors.

In 1975, the Cape Verde Islands officially became independent after 500 years of Portuguese rule.

Ten years ago: NATO leaders opened a two-day meeting in London to revise the alliance's strategy in light of easing East-West tensions in Europe and the unraveling of the Warsaw Pact.

Five years ago: More than 100 Grateful Dead fans were injured when a deck on which they were gathered collapsed at a campground near Wentzville, Missouri.

One year ago: President Clinton began a four-day, cross-country tour to promote a plan for drawing jobs and investment to areas that had not shared in the prosperity of the 1990's.

"The truly fashionable are beyond fashion."

-- Cecil Beaton, English fashion photographer and costume designer (1904-1980).