Monday, January 1, 2007

Spotlight: The woman usually credited with sewing the first flag of the US, Betsy Ross, was born on this date 255 years ago. It is known that she was a seamstress and upholsterer in Philadelphia, PA, and that she made flags during the American Revolution. Her grandson related that Ross, on her deathbed, claimed that one night in June 1776, George Washington, Robert Morris and George Ross visited her and presented her with the task of sewing the flag based on Washington's design.

Quote: "We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America." — Barack Obama

Holiday: New Year's Day

Today's News:

• 2007: polled Americans predict terrorism, global warming, a cure for cancer and the second coming of Jesus, among other things (story)
• Down syndrome: test now recommended for all pregnant women regardless of age (story)
• Spain: 67-year-old becomes oldest new mother after giving birth to twins (story)
• snow: sold on eBay by enterprising Colorado woman (story)
• Jay Mohr: comedian marries actress Nikki Cox (story)

Today's History:

• The Times of London: first edition was published; was previously known as The Daily Universal Register (1788)
• New York City: was chartered with 5 boroughs — Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island (1898)
• euro: became the official currency for EU member states (2002)

Today's Birthdays:

• Paul Revere: US Revolutionary War figure (1735-1818)
• J.D. Salinger: author of The Catcher in the Rye (88)
• Flat Stanley: globetrotting fictional character (43)
• Elin Nordegren: part-time model and Tiger Woods's wife (27)