TODAY IN HISTORY
Today is Friday, April 21, the 111th day of 2017. There are 254 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On April 21, 1967, army officers in Greece staged a coup, seizing power and creating a military dictatorship that ruled the country for the next seven years. On this date:
In 1649, the Maryland Toleration Act, providing for freedom of worship for all Christians, was passed by the Maryland assembly.
In 1789, John Adams was sworn in as the first vice president of the United States.
In 1836, an army of Texans led by Sam Houston defeated the Mexicans at San Jacinto, assuring Texas independence.
In 1930, fire broke out inside the overcrowded Ohio Penitentiary in Columbus, killing 332 inmates.
In 1960, Brazil inaugurated its new capital, Brasilia, transferring the seat of national government from Rio de Janeiro.
In 1977, the musical play “Annie,” based on the “Little Orphan Annie” comic strip, opened on Broadway, beginning a run of 2,377 performances.
In 1986, a rediscovered vault in Chicago’s Lexington Hotel that was linked to Al Capone was opened during a widely watched live TV special hosted by Geraldo Rivera; aside from a few bottles and a sign, the vault turned out to be empty.
In 1992, Robert Alton Harris became the first person executed by the state of California in 25 years as he was put to death in the gas chamber for the 1978 murder of two teenage boys, John Mayeski and Michael Baker.
Today’s Birthdays: Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II is 91. Actresscomedian-writer Elaine May is 85. Actor Charles Grodin is 82. Actor Reni Santoni (REH’-nee sanTOH’-nee) is 79. Anti-death penalty activist Sister Helen Prejean is 78. Singer-musician Iggy Pop is 70. Actress Patti LuPone is 68. Actor Tony Danza is 66. Actor James Morrison is 63. Actress Andie MacDowell is 59. Rock singer Robert Smith (The Cure) is 58. Rock musician Michael Timmins (Cowboy Junkies) is 58. Actor John Cameron Mitchell is 54. Rapper Michael Franti (Spearhead) is 51. Actor Toby Stephens is 48. Rock singer-musician Glen Hansard (The Frames) is 47. Actor Rob Riggle is 47. Comedian Nicole Sullivan is 47. Football player-turned-actor Brian White is 44. Olympic gold medal pairs figure skater Jamie Sale (sah-LAY’) is 40. Rock musician David Brenner (Theory of a Deadman) is 39. Actor James McAvoy is 38. Former NFL quarterback Tony Romo is 37. Actor Terrence J is 35. Actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw is 34. Actor Christoph (cq) Sanders is 29. Actor Frank Dillane is 26. Rock singer Sydney Sierota (Echosmith) is 20.
Thought for Today: “To spare oneself from grief at all cost can be achieved only at the price of total detachment, which excludes the ability to experience happiness.”—Erich Fromm, GermanAmerican psychoanalyst and author (1900-1980).