This Day in History

In 1821, Mexican rebels proclaimed the "Plan de Iguala,” their declaration of independence from Spain.

In 1863, Arizona was organized as a territory.

In 1920, the German Workers Party, which later became the Nazi Party, met in Munich to adopt its platform.

In 1942, the Voice of America went on the air for the first time.

In 1946, Argentinian men went to the polls to elect Juan D. Peron their president.

In 1980, the U.S. hockey team defeated Finland, 4-2, to clinch the gold medal at the Winter Olympic Games in Lake Placid, N.Y.

In 1983, a congressional commission released a report condemning the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II as a "grave injustice.”

In 1990, magazine publisher Malcolm Forbes died in Far Hills, N.J. at age 70. Fifties balladeer Johnnie Ray died in Los Angeles at age 63.

Ten years ago: The state of Texas executed Betty Lou Beets, 62, by injection for murdering her fifth husband after Governor George W. Bush refused to intervene. The U.N. Security Council approved a U.S.-drafted plan to send an observer force into Congo to monitor a fragile cease-fire. Pope John Paul II arrived in Egypt on a pilgrimage to retrace some of the most epic passages from the Bible.

Five years ago: Pope John Paul II underwent an operation to insert a tube in his throat to relieve his breathing problems, hours after he was rushed back to the hospital for the second time in a month with flu-like symptoms.

One year ago: In the first prime-time speech of his term, President Barack Obama appeared before Congress to sketch an agenda that began with jobs, then broadened quickly to include a stable credit system, better schools, health care reform, reliable domestic sources of energy and an end to the war in Iraq. Earlier in the day, Obama held an 80-minute private talk with Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso.

Today’s Birthdays: Actor Abe Vigoda is 89. Actor Steven Hill is 88. Actor-singer Dominic Chianese (kee-uh-NAY’-see) is 79. Movie composer Michel Legrand is 78. Actor James Farentino is 72. Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.) is 68. Actor Barry Bostwick is 65. Actor Edward James Olmos is 63. Singer-writer-producer Rupert Holmes is 63. Rock singer-musician George Thorogood is 60. Actress Debra Jo Rupp is 59. Actress Helen Shaver is 59. Apple CEO Steve Jobs is 55. News anchor Paula Zahn is 54. Country singer Sammy Kershaw is 52. Singer Michelle Shocked is 48. Movie director Todd Field is 46. Actor Billy Zane is 44. Actress Bonnie Somerville is 36. Rhythm-and-blues singer Brandon Brown (Mista) is 27. Rock musician Matt McGinley (Gym Class Heroes) is 27.