Today in history - Aug. 1

By The Associated PressTue Aug 1, 7:00 AM ET

Today is Tuesday, Aug. 1, the 213th day of 2006. There are 152 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

Forty years ago, on Aug. 1, 1966, 25-year-old Charles Joseph Whitman went on a shooting rampage at the University of Texas clock tower in Austin, killing 14 people with a high-powered rifle. Whitman, who had also murdered his wife and mother hours earlier, was gunned down by police.

On this date:

In 1714, Britain's Queen Anne died; she was succeeded by George I.

In 1876, Colorado was admitted as the 38th state.

In 1894, the First Sino-Japanese War erupted, the result of a dispute over control of Korea; Japan's army routed the Chinese.

In 1914, Germany declared war on Russia at the onset of World War I.

In 1936, the Olympic games opened in Berlin with a ceremony presided over by Adolf Hitler.

In 1944, an uprising broke out in Warsaw, Poland, against Nazi occupation, a revolt that lasted two months before collapsing.

In 1946, President Truman signed the Fulbright Program into law, establishing the scholarships named for Sen. William J. Fulbright.

In 1946, the Atomic Energy Commission was established.

In 1957, the United States and Canada reached agreement to create the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD).

In 1981, 25 years ago, the rock music video channel MTV made its debut.

Ten years ago: In a political victory for President Clinton, a federal jury in Little Rock, Ark., acquitted two Arkansas bankers of misapplying bank funds and conspiracy to boost his political career. (The jury deadlocked on seven other counts.) At the Atlanta Olympics, Michael Johnson broke his world track record by more than three-tenths of a second, winning the 200 meters in 19.32 seconds.

Five years ago: The Federal Trade Commission cleared the way for PepsiCo to acquire Quaker Oats for about $13.4 billion in stock. Pro Bowl tackle Korey Stringer died of heat stroke, a day after collapsing at the Minnesota Vikings' training camp on the hottest day of the year.

One year ago: Saudi Arabia's ruler, King Fahd, died; Crown Prince Abdullah, the king's half brother, became the country's new monarch. President Bush used a recess appointment to install John Bolton as ambassador to the United Nations, bypassing the Senate after a testy standoff with Democrats. Baltimore Orioles first baseman Rafael Palmeiro was suspended for 10 days following a positive test for steroids.

Today's Birthdays: Actor Arthur Hill is 84. Actor-director Geoffrey Holder is 76. Singer Ramblin' Jack Elliott is 75. Cartoonist Tom Wilson (retired creator of "Ziggy") is 75. Actor-comedian Dom DeLuise is 73. Fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent is 70. Former Sen. Alfonse D'Amato, R-N.Y., is 69. Actor Giancarlo Giannini is 64. Blues singer-musician Robert Cray is 53. Singer Michael Penn is 48. Rock singer Joe Elliott (Def Leppard) is 47. Rock singer-musician Suzi Gardner (L7) is 46. Rapper Chuck D (Public Enemy) is 46. Actor Jesse Borrego is 44. Rapper Coolio is 43. Rock singer Adam Duritz (Counting Crows) is 42. Movie director Sam Mendes is 41. Country singer George Ducas is 40. Country musician Charlie Kelley (Buffalo Club) is 38. Actress Tempestt Bledsoe is 33. Actor Jason Momoa is 27. Singer Ashley Parker Angel is 25. Actress Taylor Fry is 25.

Thought for Today: "Middle age snuffs out more talent than ever wars or sudden deaths do." — Richard Hughes, Welsh author and dramatist (1900-1976).

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