SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2023

Today is the 168th day of 2023 and the 90th day of spring.

TODAY’S HISTORY: In 1963, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that requiring the recitation of Bible verses and the Lord’s Prayer in public schools is unconstitutional.

In 1972, five people were arrested for breaking into the Democratic National Committee headquarters in the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C.

In 1994, a televised police chase ended in the arrest of O.J. Simpson for the murders of his ex-wife and her friend.

In 2015, a white gunman killed nine people at a predominately Black church in Charleston, South Carolina.

In 2021, President Joe Biden signed legislation declaring Juneteenth National Independence Day a federal holiday.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS: Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971), composer; M.C. Escher (18981972), artist; Ralph Bellamy (1904-1991), actor; Elroy “Crazylegs” Hirsch (19232004), football player; Newt Gingrich (1943- ), U.S. politician; Barry Manilow (1943- ), singer-songwriter; Greg Kinnear (1963- ), actor; Will Forte (1970- ), actor; Venus Williams (1980- ), tennis player; Kendrick Lamar (1987- ), rapper; KJ Apa (1997- ), actor.

TODAY’S FACT: “In God We Trust” became the official U.S. national motto after an act of Congress in 1956.

TODAY’S SPORTS: In 1962, 22-year-old Jack Nicklaus beat Arnold Palmer by three strokes and became the youngest golfer to win the U.S. Open since 1923.

TODAY’S QUOTE: “As far as everyone else’s opinion, I mean, if I would have thought that everyone was right, I probably wouldn’t have left Compton, so I don’t get too caught up on what the next person thinks.” -- Venus Williams TODAY’S NUMBER: 4 -- months it took to reassemble the Statue of Liberty before its dedication in October 1886. It was shipped to the United States in 350 pieces and arrived in New York City on this day in 1885 from France.

TODAY’S MOON: New moon (June 17).

SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 2023

Today is the 169th day of 2023 and the 91st day of spring.

TODAY’S HISTORY: In 1812, President James Madison signed a declaration of war against Great Britain.

In 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte’s Imperial French army was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo after sustaining more than 25,000 casualties.

In 1940, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill gave his famous “This was their finest hour” speech before the House of Commons of the United Kingdom.

In 1948, Columbia Records revealed the new 12-inch, 33 1/3 revolutions-perminute, long-playing record.

In 1983, astronaut Sally Ride became the first American woman in space.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS: E.W. Scripps (1854-1926), publisher; Kay Kyser (19051985), bandleader; Sammy Cahn (19131993), songwriter; George Mikan (19242005), basketball player; Lou Brock (1939-2020), baseball player; Roger Ebert (1942-2013), film critic; Paul McCartney (1942- ), musician/singer-songwriter; Isabella Rossellini (1952- ), actress/model; Angela Johnson (1961- ), author; Blake Shelton (1976- ), singer-songwriter.

TODAY’S FACT: Napoleon Bonaparte amassed the largest army ever in Europe for his invasion of Russia in 1812. At its peak, the Grande Armee consisted of more than 554,000 men.

TODAY’S SPORTS: In 2000, 24-year-old golfer Tiger Woods won the U.S. Open by 15 strokes, the largest margin of victory ever in a major.

TODAY’S QUOTE: “What I believe is that all clear-minded people should remain two things throughout their lifetimes: Curious and teachable.” -- Roger Ebert TODAY’S NUMBER: 23 -- minutes of music per side the first commercial LPs were formatted to play.

TODAY’S MOON: Between new moon (June 17) and first quarter moon (June 26).

MONDAY, JUNE 19, 2023

Today is the 170th day of 2023 and the 92nd day of spring.

TODAY’S HISTORY: In 1865, with the arrival of federal troops, slaves in Texas were informed of their freedom. The day is celebrated as the holiday Juneteenth.

In 1934, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) was created.

In 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was approved after a lengthy filibuster in the Senate.

In 1978, Jim Davis’ “Garfield” comic strip made its debut.

In 1991, the last Soviet troops left Hungary after more than 45 years of occupation.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS: Blaise Pascal (1623-1662), philosopher/scientist; Moe Howard (1897-1975), actor; Lou Gehrig (1903-1941), baseball player; Lester Flatt (1914-1979), bluegrass guitarist; Salman Rushdie (1947- ), author; Phylicia Rashad (1948- ), actress; Kathleen Turner (1954- ), actress; Paula Abdul (1962- ), singer/ TV personality; Boris Johnson (1964- ), British politician; Dirk Nowitzki (1978- ), basketball player; Zoe Saldana (1978- ), actress; Macklemore (1983- ), rapper; Paul Dano (1984- ), actor.

TODAY’S FACT: Juneteenth has been celebrated as an official state holiday in Texas since 1980 and became a federal holiday in 2021.

TODAY’S SPORTS: In 1846, the New York Nine defeated the New York Knickerbockers by a score of 23-1 at Elysian Fields in Hoboken, New Jersey. The game is widely regarded as the first officially recorded baseball game under codified rules in the United States.

TODAY’S QUOTE: “I’m learning the power of going away for the weekend and keeping myself company.” -- Zoe Saldana TODAY’S NUMBER: 83 -- days for which the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was debated in Congress.

TODAY’S MOON: Between new moon (June 17) and first quarter moon (June 26).