Monday, May 29, 2006

Spotlight
With the words, "Give me liberty, or give me death!" Patrick Henry secured his place in the collective American heart and memory. A fiery orator, Henry – born on this date in 1736 – was an outspoken critic of British attempts to rule the Thirteen Colonies, leading the opposition to the Stamp Act of 1765. Virginia's first governor, Henry opposed the power that the US Constitution gave to the federal government, and was a fierce proponent of the Constitution's Bill of Rights.

Quote
"I know no way of judging of the future but by the past." – Patrick Henry

Word of the day
federalism: a system of government in which power is divided between a national (federal) government and various regional governments; Patrick Henry became a federalist in his later years. (© )

Holiday
Memorial Day (United States)

Today's News

• Auschwitz: Pope Benedict XVI visits; "in the end, there can only be a dread silence" (story)
• Brangelina: welcome baby Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt to the world, in Namibia (story)
• Roger Federer: off to a difficult but victorious start at French Open (story)

Today's History

• Wisconsin: became the 30th US state (1848)
• Tom Bradley: elected the first black mayor of LA (1973)
• European Constitution: was rejected by France (2005)

Today's Birthdays

• John F. Kennedy: the youngest man elected to the presidency; established the Peace Corps (1917-1963)
• Annette Bening: actress, American Beauty (48)
• Danny Elfman: composer of The Simpsons intro and numerous film scores, including Batman (53)