This Date in History

In 1642, Harvard College in Cambridge, Mass., held its first commencement.

In 1780, British spy John Andre was captured along with papers revealing Benedict Arnold's plot to surrender West Point to the British.

In 1806, the Lewis and Clark expedition returned to St. Louis from the Pacific Northwest.

In 1846, the planet Neptune was discovered by German astronomer Johann Gottfried Galle.

In 1938, a time capsule, to be opened in the year 6939, was buried on the grounds of the World's Fair in New York City.

In 1939, Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, died in London.

In 1952, Republican vice-presidential candidate Richard M. Nixon went on television to deliver what came to be known as the "Checkers" speech as he refuted allegations of improper campaign financing.

In 1957, nine black students who had entered Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas were forced to withdraw because of a white mob outside.

In 1962, New York's Philharmonic Hall (since renamed Avery Fisher Hall) formally opened as the first unit of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

In 1973, former Argentine president Juan Peron was returned to power.

Ten years ago: In a wide-ranging interview aboard Air Force One, President Clinton admitted he had tended in the past to get hung up on details, and pledged to do a better job in providing reassuring leadership to Americans confused by tumultuous times.

Five years ago: At the Sydney Olympics, Marion Jones won the women's 100-meter final in 10.75 seconds; Maurice Greene took the men's 100 in 9.87 seconds. Commentator Carl T. Rowan died in Washington at age 75.

One year ago: President Bush denied painting too rosy a picture about Iraq, and said he would consider sending more troops if asked; Iraq's interim leader, Ayad Allawi, standing with Bush in the White House Rose Garden, said additional troops weren't needed. Congress extended three middle-class tax cuts in a $146 billion package.

Today's Birthdays

Actor Mickey Rooney is 85. Singer Julio Iglesias is 62. Actor Paul Petersen ("The Donna Reed Show") is 60. Actress-singer Mary Kay Place is 58. Rock star Bruce Springsteen is 56. Actor Jason Alexander is 46. Actor Chi McBride is 44. Actress Elizabeth Pena is 44. Country musician Don Herron (BR549) is 43. Actor Erik Todd Dellums is 41. Actress LisaRaye is 39. Singer Ani DiFranco is 35. Rock singer Sarah Bettens (K's Choice) is 33. Recording executive Jermaine Dupri is 33. Pop singer Erik-Michael Estrada ("Making the Band") is 26.