Tuesday, February 17, 2004

 

Spotlight: Topic of the Day: Giacomo Puccini's opera Madame Butterfly premiered in Milan 100 years ago today.

Quote: "My body could stand the crutches but my mind couldn't stand the sideline." -- Michael Jordan

Word of the day: usufruct -- the right to use something that belongs to another. From the Latin usus, use + fructus, enjoyment (see fruit). Used in William Buckley's latest column. (© )

Today's News:

• Paul Bremer -- suggests he will not allow sharia to be basis of Iraqi law (story)
• Disney -- says Comcast takeover offer is too low (story)
• A-Rod -- $252 million man is officially a Yankee (story)

Today's History:

• Catherine Howard -- beheaded for adultery (1524)
• Thomas Jefferson -- chosen US President over Aaron Burr, after the House of Representatives broke the electoral college tie (1801)
• Peanuts -- ran its final strip, the day after Charles Schulz' death (2000)

Today's Birthdays:

• Huey Newton -- co-founder of the Black Panthers (1942-1989)
• Michael Jordan -- world's most famous basketball player turns 41
• Paris Hilton -- party-going Hilton Hotel heiress turns 23