updated 7/4/2005 12:03:21 AM ET 2005-07-04T04:03:21

Today is Monday, July 4, the 185th day of 2005. There are 180 days left in the year. This is Independence Day.

Today's Highlight in History:

On this date:





In 1917, during a ceremony in Paris honoring the French hero of the American Revolution, U.S. Lieutenant Colonel Charles E. Stanton declared, "Lafayette, we are here!"

In 1939, baseball's "Iron Horse," Lou Gehrig, said farewell to his fans at New York's Yankee Stadium.



In 2003, rhythm-and-blues singer Barry White died in Los Angeles at age 58.

Ten years ago: President Boris Yeltsin announced that Russian troops would be permanently stationed in Chechnya. British Prime Minister John Major won re-election as Conservative Party leader. The space shuttle Atlantis and the Russian space station Mir parted after spending five days in orbit docked together. Actress Eva Gabor died in Los Angeles at age 74.

Five years ago: Tall ships sailed through New York Harbor during OpSail 2000, celebrating Independence Day.

One year ago: A 20-ton slab of granite, inscribed to honor "the enduring spirit of freedom," was laid at the World Trade Center site as the cornerstone of the Freedom Tower skyscraper that will replace the destroyed twin towers. Defending the war in Iraq, President Bush told a cheering crowd outside the West Virginia state capitol that America was safer because Saddam Hussein was in a prison cell. Roger Federer overcame Andy Roddick's power game to win his second straight Wimbledon title, 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (3), 6-4. Meg Mallon won the women's U.S. Open with a 6-under 65.

Today's Birthdays: Conductor Mitch Miller is 94. Advice columnist Pauline Phillips (the original "Dear Abby") is 87. Actress Eva Marie Saint is 81. Playwright Neil Simon is 78. Baseball team owner George Steinbrenner is 75. Country singer Ray Pillow is 68. Singer Bill Withers is 67. Actor Ed Bernard is 66. Actress Karolyn Grimes is 65. Broadcast journalist Geraldo Rivera is 62. Rhythm-and-blues musician Ralph Johnson (Earth, Wind and Fire) is 54. Rock musician Domingo Ortiz (Widespread Panic) is 53. Singer John Waite is 50. Rock musician Kirk Pengilly (INXS) is 47. Country musician Teddy Carr is 45. Rock D-J Zonka (Big Audio Dynamite) is 43. Tennis Hall of Famer Pam Shriver is 43. Rock musician Matt Malley (Counting Crows) is 42. Actress Jenica Bergere is 31. Singer Stephen "Ste" McNally (BBMak) is 27.




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