On this day, Aug. 22
1851 The schooner America outraced more than a dozen British vessels off the English coast to win a trophy that came to be known as the America’s Cup.
1910 Japan annexed Korea, which remained under Japanese control until the end of World War II.
1940 Preparations were made to raze old Allegheny General Hospital and 25 other buildings in a congested North Side section, site of a huge new Sears, Roebuck and Co. store and parking lot.
1978 President Jomo Kenyatta, a leading figure in Kenya’s struggle for independence, died; Vice President Daniel arap Moi was sworn in as acting president.
1998 Allegheny County’s 911 system began operations at Lexington Technology Park in Point Breeze.
2004 Lauryn Williams, a Rochester, Beaver County, resident, won the silver medal in the 100-meter sprint at the Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. Some items are from Stefan Lorant’s “Pittsburgh: The Story of an American City” (digital.library.pitt.edu/chronology).
— Compiled by Rick Nowlin Today’s birthdays: Broadcast journalist Morton Dean, 85. Author Annie Proulx, 85. Baseball Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski, 81. Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells, 79. Writer-producer David Chase, 75. CBS newsman Steve Kroft, 75. Actor Cindy Williams,
73. Pop musician David Marks, 72. International Swimming Hall of Famer Diana Nyad,
71. Baseball Hall of Famer Paul Molitor, 64. Rock musician Vernon Reid, 62. Country singer Ricky Lynn Gregg, 61. Country singer Collin Raye, 60. Actor Regina Taylor, 60. Rock singer Roland Orzabal (Tears for Fears),
59. Rock musician Debbi Peterson (The Bangles), 59. Rock musician Gary Lee Conner (Screaming Trees), 58. Singer Tori Amos, 57. Country singer Mila Mason, 57. Rhythm-andblues musician James DeBarge, 57. International Tennis Hall of Famer Mats Wilander,
56. Actor Brooke Dillman, 54. Rapper GZA/ The Genius, 54. Actor Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, 53. Actor Ty Burrell, 53. Celebrity chef Giada DeLaurentiis, 50. Actor Melinda Page Hamilton, 49. Actor Rick Yune, 49. Rock musician and North Huntingdon native Paul Doucette (Matchbox Twenty), 48. Rap-reggae singer Beenie Man, 47. Singer Howie Dorough (Backstreet Boys), 47. Comedian-actor Kristen Wiig, 47. Actor Jenna Leigh Green,
46. Rock musician Bo Koster, 46. Rock musician Dean Back (Theory of a Deadman),
45. Talk show host James Corden, 42. Rock musician Jeff Stinco (Simple Plan), 42. Actor Brandon Adams, 41. Actor Aya Sumika, 40. Thought for today: “Life does not give itself to one who tries to keep all its advantages at once. I have often thought morality may perhaps consist solely in the courage of making a choice.” — Leon Blum, French statesman (1872-1950)