TODAY IN HISTORY

Today is Thursday, May 4, the 124th day of 2017. There are 241 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History

On May 4, 1942, the Battle of the Coral Sea, the first naval clash fought entirely with carrier aircraft, began in the Pacific during World War II. (The outcome was considered a tactical victory for Imperial Japan, but ultimately a strategic one for the Allies.)

On this date

1776 — Rhode Island declared its freedom from England, two months before the Declaration of Independence was adopted. 2001 — Bonny Lee Bakley, wife of actor Robert Blake, was shot to death as she sat in a car near a restaurant in Los Angeles. (Blake, accused of Bakley’s murder, was acquitted in a criminal trial but found liable by a civil jury and ordered to pay damages.) Los Angeles.

Today’s Birthdays

Violinist Soozie Tyrell (Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band) is 60. Country singer Randy Travis is 58. Actress Mary McDonough is 56. Comedian Ana Gasteyer is 50. Actor Will Arnett is 47. Rock musician Mike Dirnt (Green Day) is 45. Rock musician Jose Castellanos is 40. Sports reporter Erin Andrews is 39. Singer Lance Bass (‘N Sync) is 38. Actress Ruth Negga is 36. Rapper/singer Jidenna is 32. Actor Alexander Gould is 23. Country singer Rae-Lynn is 23. Actress Amara Miller is 17.