TODAY IN HISTORY

Today is Monday, Feb. 11, the 42nd day of 2019. There are 323 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History:

On Feb. 11, 1990, South African black activist Nelson Mandela was freed after 27 years in captivity.

On this date:

■ In 1929, the Lateran Treaty was signed, with Italy recognizing the independence and sovereignty of Vatican City.

■ In 1937, a six-week-old sitdown strike against GM ended, with the company agreeing to recognize the United Automobile Workers Union.

Ten years ago: The nation’s top bankers went before the House Financial Services Committee, pledging to build public trust with greater lending and fewer perks.

Five years ago: President Barack Obama, during a joint White House news conference with French President Francois Hollande, vowed to come down hard on businesses that violated Iranian sanctions while nuclear negotiations were under way, and conceded “enormous frustration” with stalled Syrian peace talks.

One year ago: A Russian passenger plane crashed into a snowy field six minutes after taking off from Moscow, killing all 65 passengers and six crew members; investigators would blame human error.

Today’s Birthdays: Fashion designer Mary Quant is 85. Actress Tina Louise is 81. Bandleader Sergio Mendes is 78. Actress Carey Lowell is 58. Singer Sheryl Crow is 57. Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is 55. Actress Jennifer Aniston is 50. Singer D’Angelo is 45. Singer-actress Brandy is 40. Actress Natalie Dormer is 37. Singer Aubrey O’Day is 35.

Thought for Today: “Life does not count by years. Some suffer a lifetime in a day, and so grow old between the rising and the setting of the sun.”—Augusta Jane Evans, American novelist (1835-1909).