Good morning, it’s Saturday, July 4, the 185th day of 2009. There are 180 days left in the year. This is Independence Day. We’re expecting highs around 102 this afternoon so take it easy as you celebrate.

Today’s Forecast And Current Conditions

What’s For Lunch? School lunch menus

[Today’s Forecast And Current Conditions]
[Don’t Let Sudden Storms Catch You By Surprise. Download News Central Desktop Alert.]
[Find Out How To Receive Doppler Ten Radar, Weather Information And News On Your Web-Enabled Cell Phone.]





Save some money! Save a tree! Get your morning news delivered directly to your email


What’s Going On Today
Check The Community Calendar For Today’s Events In Central Texas

Today's Highlight in History:
On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence.

On This Date:
In 1802, the United States Military Academy officially opened at West Point, N.Y.
In 1826, 50 years to the day after the Declaration of Independence was adopted, former presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died.
In 1831, the fifth president of the United States, James Monroe, died in New York City.
In 1872, the 30th president of the United States, Calvin Coolidge, was born in Plymouth, Vt.
In 1919, Jack Dempsey won the world heavyweight boxing title by defeating Jess Willard in Toledo, Ohio.
In 1939, baseball's "Iron Horse," Lou Gehrig, said farewell to his fans at New York's Yankee Stadium.
In 1959, America's 49-star flag, honoring Alaskan statehood, was officially unfurled.
In 1960, America's 50-star flag, honoring Hawaiian statehood, was officially unfurled.
In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Freedom of Information Act, which went into effect the following year.
In 1976, Israeli commandos raided Entebbe Airport in Uganda, rescuing almost all of the passengers and crew of an Air France jetliner seized by pro-Palestinian hijackers.

Ten years ago:
White supremacist Benjamin Nathaniel Smith shot himself to death as police closed in on him in southern Illinois, hours after he'd apparently shot and killed a Korean man outside a church in Bloomington, Ind.; authorities believe Smith was also responsible for killing former college basketball coach Ricky Byrdsong during a three-day rampage targeting minorities. Pete Sampras and Lindsay Davenport won the singles titles at Wimbledon, defeating Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf.

Five years ago:
A 20-ton slab of granite, inscribed to honor "the enduring spirit of freedom," was laid at the World Trade Center site as the cornerstone of the Freedom Tower skyscraper that will replace the destroyed twin towers. Defending the war in Iraq, President George W. Bush told a cheering crowd outside the West Virginia state capitol that America was safer because Saddam Hussein was in a prison cell. Roger Federer overcame Andy Roddick's power game to win his second straight Wimbledon title, 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (3), 6-4. Meg Mallon won the Women's U.S. Open with a 6-under 65.

One year ago:
Former Sen. Jesse Helms, an unyielding champion of the conservative movement who'd spent three combative and sometimes caustic decades in Congress, died in Raleigh, N.C., at age 86. Dara Torres completed her improbable Olympic comeback at age 41, making the U.S. team for the fifth time by winning the 100 freestyle at the trials in Omaha, Neb. Actress Evelyn Keyes died in Montecito, Calif., at age 91.

Today's Birthdays:
Actress Gloria Stuart is 99. Conductor Mitch Miller is 98. Advice columnist Pauline Phillips (the original "Dear Abby") is 91. Actress Eva Marie Saint is 85. Actress Gina Lollobrigida is 82. Playwright Neil Simon is 82. Baseball team owner George Steinbrenner is 79. Country singer Ray Pillow is 72. Singer Bill Withers is 71. Actor Ed Bernard is 70. Actress Karolyn Grimes is 69. Broadcast journalist Geraldo Rivera is 66. Rhythm-and-blues musician Ralph Johnson (Earth, Wind and Fire) is 58. Rock musician Domingo Ortiz (Widespread Panic) is 57. Singer John Waite is 54. Rock musician Kirk Pengilly (INXS) is 51. Country musician Teddy Carr is 49. Rock DJ Zonka is 47. Tennis Hall of Famer Pam Shriver is 47. Rock musician Matt Malley is 46. Christian rock singer Michael Sweet is 46. Actor Al Madrigal is 38. Actress Jenica Bergere is 35. Actor-singer John Lloyd Young is 34. Singer Stephen "Ste" McNally (BBMak) is 31. Actress Becki Newton (TV: "Ugly Betty") is 31. Presidential daughter Malia Obama is 11.

Thought for Today:
"If the American Revolution had produced nothing but the Declaration of Independence, it would have been worthwhile." -- Samuel Eliot Morison, American historian (1887-1976).

(Source: Associated Press)

[More Local And State News]
[More National News]
[More Business News]
[Latest Religion News]
[Latest Health News]
[Latest Entertainment News]
[OffBeat News]
[News From Our Town]
[Latest Soldier Stories]
[Sports]
[Weather]
[Blogs]





Save some money! Save a tree! Get your morning news delivered directly to your email