TODAY IN HISTORY

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT 2002

In his first State of the Union address, President George W. Bush said terrorists were still threatening America — and he warned of “an axis of evil” consisting of North Korea, Iran and Iraq.

ALSO ON TODAY’S DATE 1820

King George III died at Windsor Castle at age 81; he was succeeded by his son, who became King George IV.

1856

Britain’s Queen Victoria introduced the Victoria Cross to reward military acts of valor during the Crimean War.

1861

Kansas became the 34th state of the Union.

1936

The first inductees of baseball’s Hall of Fame, including Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth, were named in Cooperstown, New York.

1963

The first charter members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame were named in Canton, Ohio. Poet Robert Frost died in Boston at age 88.

1975

A bomb exploded inside the U.S. State Department in Washington, causing considerable damage, but injuring no one; the radical group Weather Underground claimed responsibility.

1979

President Jimmy Carter formally welcomed Chinese Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping to the White House, following the establishment of diplomatic relations.

1984

President Ronald Reagan announced in a nationally broadcast message that he and Vice President George H.W. Bush would seek reelection in the fall.

1995

The San Francisco 49ers became the first team in NFL history to win five Super Bowl titles, beating the San Diego Chargers, 49-26, in Super Bowl XXIX.