THURSDAY IN HISTORY

Today is Thursday, June 5, the 156th day of 2014. There are 209 days left in the year. Highlight in History: On June 5, 2004, Ronald Wilson Reagan, the 40th president of the U.S., died in LA at age 93 after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. On this date: In 1794, Congress passed the Neutrality Act, which prohibited Americans from taking part in any military action against a country that was at peace with the U.S.

In 1884, Civil War hero Gen. William T. Sherman refused the Republican presidential nomination, saying, “I will not accept if nominated and will not serve if elected.”

In 1933, the United States went off the gold standard.

In 1967, war erupted in the Mideast as Israel raided military aircraft parked on the ground in Egypt.

In 1968, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated.

In 1981, the Centers for Disease Control reported that five homosexuals in Los Angeles had come down with a rare kind of pneumonia; they were the first recognized cases of what later became known as AIDS.

Ten years ago: The nuclear submarine USS Jimmy Carter (SSN-23) was christened.

Five years ago: President Obama became the first U.S. president to tour the Buchenwald concentration camp.

One year ago: British newspaper The Guardian reported the National Security Agency was collecting the telephone records of millions of American customers of Verizon under a top secret court order.

Today’s Birthdays: Actorsinger Bill Hayes is 89. Country singer Gail Davies is 66. Jazz musician KennyGis 58. Actress Karen Sillas is 51. Actor Mark Wahlberg is 43.

Thought for Today: “I know in my heart that man is good. That what is right will always eventually triumph. And there’s purpose and worth to each and every life.” — President Ronald Reagan (1911-2004).