Today In History

Today is Wednesday, Aug. 14, the 226th day of 2019. There are 139 days left in the year.

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT

› 1945: President Harry S. Truman announced that Imperial Japan had surrendered unconditionally, ending World War II.

ON THIS DATE

› 1900: International forces, including U.S. Marines, entered Beijing to put down the Boxer Rebellion, which was aimed at purging China of foreign influence.

› 1935: President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law.

› 1941: President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill issued the Atlantic Charter, a statement of principles that renounced aggression.

› 1948: The Summer Olympics in London ended; they were the first Olympic games held since 1936.

› 2003: A huge blackout hit the northeastern United States and part of Canada; 50 million people lost power.

› 2008: President George W. Bush signed consumer-safety legislation that banned lead from children’s toys, imposing the toughest standard in the world.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS

Broadway lyricist Lee Adams (“Bye Bye Birdie”) is 95. College Football Hall of Famer John Brodie is 84. Singer Dash Crofts is 81. Rock singer David Crosby is 78. Movie director Wim Wenders is 74. Actor Antonio Fargas is 73. Singer-musician Larry Graham is 73. Actress Susan Saint James is 73. Actor David Schramm is 73. Author Danielle Steel is 72. Rock singer-musician Terry Adams (NRBQ) is 71. “Far Side” cartoonist Gary Larson is 69. Actor Carl Lumbly is 68. Olympic gold medal swimmer Debbie Meyer is 67. Basketball Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson is 60. Singer Sarah Brightman is 59. Actress Susan Olsen is 58. Actressturned-fashion/interior designer Cristi Conaway is 55. Actor Ben Bass is 51. Actress Catherine Bell is 51. Country musician Cody McCarver (Confederate Railroad) is 51. Rock musician Kevin Cadogan is 49. Actor Scott Michael Campbell is 48. Actress Mila Kunis is 36. Actor Lamorne Morris is 36. TV personality Spencer Pratt is 36. NFL quarterback-turned-baseball player Tim Tebow is 32. Actress Marsai Martin is 15.