TODAY IN HISTORY

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT April 25, 1507

A world map produced by German cartographer Martin Waldseemueller contained the first recorded use of the term “America,” in honor of Italian navigator Amerigo Vespucci.

ALSO ON THIS DATE 1792

French highwayman Nicolas Jacques Pelletier became the first person to be executed by the guillotine.

1917

Legendary jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald was born in Newport News, Virginia.

1964

Vandals sawed off the head of the “Little Mermaid” statue in Copenhagen, Denmark.