Peek at the Past

Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2002

Today is the 316th day of 2002 and the 52nd

day of fall.

TODAY'S HISTORY

On this day in 1799, astronomer Andrew Ellicott Douglass made the first known record of a meteor shower in North America.

On this day in 1969, Seymour Hersh, an independent investigative journalist, broke the story of the My Lai Massacre in Vietnam. During the massacre, hundreds of Vietnamese civilians were rounded up and U.S. soldiers were allegedly given instruction from 1st Lt. William L. Calley to "finish them off." Calley was the only member of those involved in the murders to be held accountable. He was eventually pardoned by President Richard Nixon.

On this day in 1980, Voyager I came within 77,000 miles of Saturn, sending back pictures that revealed Saturn's hundreds of rings (rather than the six that it had previously been thought to have) and helping scientists to discover further moons around the giant planet.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS

Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815-1902), reformer; Auguste Rodin (1840-1917), sculptor; Grace Kelly (1929-1982), actress and princess of Monaco; Nadia Comaneci (1961-), gymnast, is 41.

TODAY'S SPORTS

On this day in 1892, William "Pudge" Heffelfinger was paid $500 to play in a football game. He is considered the first professional football player.

TODAY'S QUOTE

"Nothing strengthens the judgment and quickens the conscience like individual responsibility." -- Elizabeth Cady Stanton

TODAY'S MOON

Between first quarter (Nov. 11) and full moon (Nov. 19).

Casey Ressler

Valley Life editor

352-2265

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valleylife@frontiersman.com

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