Saturday, May 20, 2006

Spotlight
Happy birthday to Cher, who turns 60 today. First known as half of pop-duo Sonny and Cher, she eventually became a mega-star in her own right, first as a singer and then as an actress. Her portrayal of Loretta Castorini in the 1987 romantic comedy Moonstruck, brought Cher a Best Actress Oscar. Cher holds the record for the longest gap between #1 hits ("Dark Lady" in 1974 and "Believe" in 1999). "Believe" also made her the oldest female artist with a #1 hit.

Quote
"Until you're ready to look foolish, you'll never have the possibility of being great." – Cher

Word of the day
diva: an extremely successful female singer; Cher is a pop diva. (© )

Today's News

• Internet: average US worker spends 3.1 hours a week on personal surfing (story)
• apes: can remember to bring along the right tool for the task (story)
• ivory-billed woodpecker: until recently presumed extinct, rare bird stays out of sight as season ends (story)

Today's History

• North Carolina: voted to secede from the Union (1861)
• Cheers: some 93 million viewed the final episode (1993)
• East Timor: became an independent nation (2002)

Today's Birthdays

• Jimmy Stewart: actor, It's a Wonderful Life (1908-1997)
• Israel Kamakawiwo'ole: Hawaiian musician (1959-1997)
• Busta Rhymes: innovative rapper (34)