November 14th

Today's Highlight in History:
On November 14th, 1900, Aaron Copland, one of America's leading composers of the 20th century, was born in New York City.

On this date:
In 1851, Herman Melville's novel "Moby Dick" was first published in the United States.

In 1881, Charles J. Guiteau went on trial for assassinating President Garfield. (Guiteau was convicted and hanged the following year.)

In 1922, the British Broadcasting Corporation began its domestic radio service.

In 1935, President Roosevelt proclaimed the Philippine Islands a free commonwealth.

In 1940, during World War Two, German planes destroyed most of the English town of Coventry.

In 1944, Tommy Dorsey and Orchestra recorded "Opus No. 1" for -CA Victor.

In 1969, "Apollo 12" blasted off for the moon.

In 1972, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above the 1,000 level for the first time, ending the day at 1003.16.

In 1973, Britain's Princess Anne married Captain Mark Phillips in Westminster Abbey. (They divorced in 1992, and Anne re-married.)

In 1996, Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, leader of Chicago's 2.3 million Catholics, died at age 68.

Ten years ago: President Bush told congressional leaders he had no immediate plans to go to war in the Persian Gulf. British commentator Malcolm Muggeridge died in Sussex, England, at age 87. Simon and Schuster announced it had dropped plans to publish the controversial Bret Easton Ellis novel "American Psycho."

Five years ago: The US government instituted a partial shutdown, closing national parks and museums while government offices operated with skeleton crews. US Representative Enid Greene Waldholtz (Republican, Utah) filed for divorce from her husband, Joe, who was under federal investigation for possible campaign financing improprieties. (Joe Waldholtz spent 22 months in federal prison.)

One year ago: Democrat Bill Bradley took center court at New York's Madison Square Garden for a $1.5 million presidential campaign fund-raiser that featured his old Knick teammates and former basketball rivals. The United Nations imposed sanctions on Afghanistan for refusing to hand over suspected terrorist Osama bin Laden.

"It makes no difference if I burn my bridges behind me -- I never retreat."

-- Fiorello LaGuardia, New York City mayor (1882-1947).