On This Date

1565 - Spanish colonists led by explorer Pedro Menéndez de Avilés established the first permanent European settlement in North America in St. Augustine, Florida.

1892 - Francis Bellamy, former Baptist preacher, wrote The Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America. It only took him three hours to write the original 23 words in honor of the 400th anniversary of Columbus discovering America.

1951 - Forty-nine countries signed the Japanese Peace Treaty in San Francisco. It formally marked the end of the Pacific War.

Did You Know?

Las Vegas means "the meadows" in Spanish. In the 1800s, areas of the Las Vegas Valley contained artesian wells that supported extensive green areas or meadows.

Humor of the Day

"Gentlemen, you can't fight in here. This is the war room!"

~ Dr. Strangelove (1964)

Happy Birthday!

Peter Sellers (1925-1980) was a comedian and actor best known for his three roles in Dr. Strangelove, as Inspector Clouseau in The Pink Panther films, and as Clare Quilty in the original 1962 screen version of Lolita. He rose to fame on the BBC Home Service radio series The Goon Show where his ability to speak in different accents contributed to his success as a radio and screen actor. In contrast with his on screen persona, Sellers' real personality was described as difficult and demanding.