Today In History

Today is Thursday, July 5, the 186th day of 2007. There are 179 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:
On July 5, 1947, Larry Doby made his debut with the Cleveland Indians, becoming the first black player in the American League.

On this date:

In 1811, Venezuela became the first South American country to declare independence from Spain.

In 1830, the French occupied the North African city of Algiers.

In 1865, William Booth founded the Salvation Army in London.

In 1935, President Roosevelt signed the National Labor Relations Act, which provided for a National Labor Relations Board, and authorized labor to organize for the purpose of collective bargaining.

In 1940, during World War II, Britain and the Vichy government in France broke off diplomatic relations.

In 1946, the bikini bathing suit, designed by Louis Reard, made its debut during an outdoor fashion show at the Molitor Pool in Paris.

In 1954, Elvis Presley's first commercial recording session took place at Sun Records in Memphis, Tenn.; the song he recorded was "That's All Right (Mama)."

In 1975, Arthur Ashe became the first black man to win a Wimbledon singles title as he defeated Jimmy Connors.

In 1977, Pakistan's army, led by General Mohammad Zia ul-Haq, seized power from President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. (Bhutto was executed in 1979.)

In 1991, a worldwide financial scandal erupted as regulators in eight countries shut down the Bank of Credit and Commerce International.

Ten years ago: NASA scientists brainstormed to fix problems that left Mars Pathfinder's robot rover stuck aboard the lander. Cambodia's Second Prime Minister Hun Sen launched a bloody coup that toppled First Prime Minister Norodom Ranariddh. Sixteen-year-old Martina Hingis became the youngest Wimbledon singles champion this century as she beat Jana Novotna, 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the women's finals. (Charlotte "Lottie" Dod won in 1887 at age 15.)

Five years ago: President Bush telephoned Afghan President Hamid Karzai to express condolences for the deaths of Afghan civilians killed in a U.S. bombing four days earlier. (Forty-eight civilians were killed, according to Afghan officials.) Baseball Hall of Famer Ted Williams died in Citrus County, Fla., at age 83.

One year ago: North Korea test-fired seven missiles into the Sea of Japan, including at least one believed capable of reaching the U.S. mainland. Enron founder Kenneth Lay, who was facing decades in prison for one of the most sprawling business frauds in U.S. history, died in Aspen, Colo., at age 64.

Thought for Today: "If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away." — Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862).