TODAY IN HISTORY

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT Jan. 26, 1788

The first European settlers in Australia, led by Capt. Arthur Phillip, landed in present-day Sydney. ALSO ON THIS DATE

1531

A major earthquake struck Lisbon in the Kingdom of Portugal, followed by a tsunami and several strong aftershocks; an estimated 30,000 people died.

1784

In a letter to his daughter Sarah, Benjamin Franklin expressed unhappiness over the choice of the bald eagle as the symbol of America, and stated his own preference: the turkey.

1870

Virginia rejoined the Union.

1915

President Woodrow Wilson signed the Rocky Mountain National Park Act, which created America’s 10th national park.

1942

The first American Expeditionary Force to head to Europe during World War II arrived in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

1962

The United States launched Ranger 3 to land scientific instruments on the moon _ but the probe ended up missing its target by more than 22,000 miles.

1998

President Bill Clinton forcefully denied having an affair with a former White House intern, telling reporters, “I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky.”