Saturday, August 6, 2005

Spotlight: Sixty years ago today, an atomic bomb was dropped on the Japanese town of Hiroshima, killing and maiming some 140,000 civilians. This was the first time an atomic bomb was used in a military action. Three days later, a second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, effectively bringing World War II to an end. "Little Boy" was dropped by Enola Gay on Hiroshima; on August 9, 1945, Bockscar dropped "Fat Man" on Nagasaki.

Quote: "We can bomb the world to pieces, but we can't bomb it into peace." – Michael Franti

Today in History:

• Holy Roman Empire: was dissolved when Francis II resigned after defeat by Napoleon (1806)
• electric chair: used in the US for the first time, on convicted murderer William Kemmler (1890)
• handshake: British PM Tony Blair and Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams (1997)

Today's Birthdays:

• Lucille Ball: comic actor, I Love Lucy (1911-1989)
• Andy Warhol: pop artist (1928-1987)
• Geri Halliwell: the former Ginger Spice (33)

Word of the Day:  prefecture: area governed by a prefect, or high administrative official; Nagasaki and Hiroshima are in areas called prefectures.   (© )