Friday, June 18, 2004

 

Spotlight: Personality of the Day: Napoleon Bonaparte was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo by British, German, and Dutch forces on this date in 1815.

Word of the day: encomium -- warm, glowing praise. Used yesterday by Maureen Dowd in rare praise of George W. Bush. "W. gave lavish encomiums - and even a nickname - to the man [Bill Clinton] he once accused of stripping the White House of dignity and honor." (column: NYT registration required) (© )

Today's News:

• Alan Greenspan -- confirmed for fifth and final term (story)
• prehistoric chimaera -- found in Brazil (story)
• Madonna -- takes Esther as Hebrew name (story)

Today's History:

• Susan B. Anthony -- was fined $100 for attempting to vote in 1872's US presidential election (1873)
• Amelia Earhart -- first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean, flying from Newfoundland to Wales in about 21 hours (1928)
• Sally Ride -- became the first American woman in space, aboard the space shuttle Challenger (1983)

Today's Birthdays:

• George Mallory -- the guy who climbed Mount Everest "because it is there" (1886-1924)
• Roger Ebert -- movie critic who trademarked his right thumb turns 62
• Sir Paul McCartney -- one of The Beatles turns 62