Thursday, July 22, 2004

 

Spotlight: Personality of the Day: Emma Lazarus was born on this date in 1849. She penned the words, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free...," inscribed on the base of the Statue of Liberty.

Word of the day: hubris -- overbearing pride. Appears in an article reporting that Martha Stewart has not ruled out the possibility of serving time soon rather than waiting until after her appeal. In her words: "There's a conundrum... I would like this to be over." As to her reputation for hubris, Stewart asserted: "If I were a man, no one would ever say that I am arrogant." (story) (© )

Today's News:

• 9/11 -- Video shows hijackers checked by security after triggering metal detector alarms (story)
• chimpo erectus? -- black macaque apes humans by walking upright after near death experience (story)
• burning Bush -- Ben & Jerry's founder's PantsOnFire-Mobile sports Presidential effigy on cross-country tour (story)

Today's History:

• Wiley Post -- completed the first solo, round-the-world flight in his monoplane in 7-3/4 days (1933)
• George S. Patton -- led American forces in capturing Palermo (1943)
• House of Representatives & Senate -- restore American citizenship to Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee (1975)

Today's Birthdays:

• Stephen Vincent Benét -- author of "The Devil And Daniel Webster" (1898-1943)
• Alex Trebek -- host of TV's Jeopardy! turns 64
• actors -- Albert Brooks (57), Willem Dafoe (49), Rob Estes (41), David Spade (40)