TODAY IN HISTORY
Today is Thursday, May 25, the 145th day of 2017. There are 220 days left in the year.
Today’s Highlight in History
On May 25, 1977, the first “Star Wars” film (later renamed “Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope”) was released by 20th Century Fox.
On this date
1787 — the Constitutional Convention began at the Pennsylvania State House (Independence Hall) in Philadelphia after enough delegates had shown up for a quorum. 1810 — Argentina began its revolt against Spanish rule with the forming of the Primera Junta in Buenos Aires. 1916 — the Chicago Tribune published an interview with Henry Ford in which the automobile industrialist was quoted as saying, “History is more or less bunk.” 1935 — Babe Ruth hit his last three career home runs — nos. 712, 713 and 714 — for the Boston Braves in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. (The Pirates won, 11-7.) 1942 — U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Joseph Stilwell, frustrated over being driven out of Burma by Japanese forces during World War II, told reporters in Delhi, India: “I claim we got a hell of a beating.” 1957 — the third tube of the Lincoln Tunnel connecting New York and New Jersey was opened to traffic. 1961 — President John F. Kennedy told Congress: “I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth.” 1968 — the Gateway Arch in St. Louis was dedicated by Vice President Hubert Humphrey and Interior Secretary Stewart Udall. 1979 — Two hundred and seventy-three people died when an American Airlines DC-10 crashed just after takeoff from Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. 1981 — Daredevil Dan Goodwin, wearing a Spiderman costume, scaled the outside of Chicago’s Sears Tower in 7 1/2 hours. 1986 — An estimated 7 million Americans participated in “Hands Across America” to raise money for the nation’s hungry and homeless. 1992 — Jay Leno made his debut as host of NBC’s “Tonight Show,” succeeding Johnny Carson. 1999 — Site preparation began for a 4,000-square-foot International House of Pancakes on Riverbend Drive. The $700,000 project was under the direction of U.S. General Construction Inc.
Ten years ago
President George W. Bush signed a bill to pay for military operations in Iraq that did not contain a timetable for troop withdrawals.
Five years ago
The private company SpaceX made history as its Dragon capsule docked with the International Space Station.
One year ago
President Barack Obama wrapped up his historic visit to Vietnam before heading to Japan, the site of a two-day summit of wealthy nations.
Today’s Birthdays
Actress Ann Robinson is 88. Former White House news secretary Ron Nessen is 83. Country singer-songwriter Tom T. Hall is 81. Actor Sir Ian McKellen is 78. Country singer Jessi Colter is 74. Actress-singer Leslie Uggams is 74. Movie director and Muppeteer Frank Oz is 73. Actress Karen Valentine is 70. Actor Joseph Reitman is 49. Rock musician Glen Drover is 48. Actress Anne Heche is 48. Actresses Lindsay and Sidney Greenbush (TV: “Little House on the Prairie”) are 47. Actor-comedian Jamie Kennedy is 47. Actress Octavia Spencer is 47. Actor Justin Henry is 46. Rapper Daz Dillinger is 44. Actress Molly Sims is 44. Singer Lauryn Hill is 42. Actress Erinn Hayes is 41. Actor Cillian Murphy is 41.