THURSDAY IN HISTORY

Today is Thursday, April 27, the 117th day of 2017. There are 248 days left in the year.

Highlight in History:

On April 27, 1967, Canada’s Universal and International Exhibition, also known as “Expo 67,” began a six-month run as it was officially opened in Montreal by Canadian Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson.

On this date:

In 1509, Pope Julius II ex communicated the Republic of Venice for refusing to give up lands claimed by the Papal States. (The pope lifted the interdict in Feb. 1510.)

In 1521, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan was killed by natives in the Philippines.

In 1777, the only land battle in Connecticut during the Revolutionary War, the Battle of Ridgefield, resulted in a limited British victory.

In 1865, the steam er Sultana, carrying freed Union prisoners of war, exploded on the Mississippi River near Memphis, Tennessee; death toll estimates vary from 1,500 to 2,000.

In 1941, German forces occupied Athens during World War II.

In 1950, Britain formally recognized the state of Israel.

In 1973, Acting FBI Director L. Patrick Gray resigned after it was revealed that he’d destroyed files removed from the safe of Watergate conspirator E. Howard Hunt.

In 1982, the trial of John W. Hinckley Jr., who had shot four people, including President Ronald Reagan, began in Washington.

Ten years ago: President George W. Bush and visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe threatened stronger punitive actions against North Korea if it reneged on a promise to padlock its sole nuclear reactor.

Five years ago: President Ba rack O ba ma signed an order aimed at addressing growing complaints about fraudulent marketing and recruiting practices aimed at military families eligible for federal education aid under the GI Bill.

One year ago: Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam signed a bill allowing mental health counselors to refuse to treat patients based on the therapist’s religious or personal beliefs.

Today’s Birthdays: Actress Anouk Aimee is 85. Rhythmand-blues singer Cuba Gooding is 73. Singer Ann Peebles is 70. Actor Douglas Sheehan is 68. Actress Jenna Coleman is 31.

Thought for Today: “Difficulty is the excuse history never accepts.” — Edward R. Murrow, American broadcast journalist (born 1908, died this date in 1965).