Today in history

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May 15, 2012

Today in history

The Pryor Times Tue May 15, 2012, 08:43 AM CDT

Today is the 136th day of 2012 and the 57th day of spring.

TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1918, the United States launched its first regular airmail service.

In 1972, Alabama Gov. George Wallace was shot and left permanently paralyzed below the waist while campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination in Maryland.

In 1988, the Soviet Union began withdrawing from Afghanistan.

In 2006, the United States announced it would remove Libya from its list of terrorist nations and restore full diplomatic ties.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: L. Frank Baum (1856-1919), writer; Pierre Curie (1859-1906), physicist; Richard J. Daley (1902-1976), politician; Jasper Johns (1930- ), artist; Madeleine Albright (1937- ), former secretary of state; Roger Ailes (1940- ), news executive; Chazz Palminteri (1952- ), actor; Emmitt Smith (1969- ), football player; Justin Morneau (1981- ), baseball player.

TODAY'S SPORTS: In 2004, Smarty Jones won the Preakness Stakes thoroughbred horse race by a record margin of 11 1/2 lengths.

TODAY'S FACT: Former U.S. presidents and their spouses enjoy lifetime mail "franking" privileges, meaning their mail can be sent without postage, provided it is nonpolitical.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "All the same," said the Scarecrow, "I shall ask for brains instead of a heart; for a fool would not know what to do with a heart if he had one." -- L. Frank Baum

TODAY'S NUMBER: 21 -- years that Richard J. Daley served as mayor of Chicago (1955-1976). His son, Richard M. Daley, was mayor of Chicago for a record 22 years (1989-2011).

TODAY'S MOON: Between last quarter (May 12) and new moon (May 20).

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Today in history

Do you think it is more important for the government’s data collection programs to be revealed to the public or for government employees to keep secrets?

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