Today is Friday, May 16, the 136th day of 2014. There are 229 days left in the year.
Today’s Highlight in History:
On May 16, 1929, the first Academy Awards were presented. "Wings" won "best
production," while Emil Jannings and Janet Gaynor were named best actor and best actress.
On this date:
In 1763, the English lexicographer, author and wit Samuel Johnson first met his future biographer, James
Boswell.
In 1868, the U.S. Senate failed by one vote to convict President Andrew Johnson as it took its first
ballot on the eleven articles of impeachment against him.
In 1920, Joan of Arc was canonized by Pope Benedict XV.
In 1939, the federal government began its first food stamp program in Rochester, New York.
In 1943, the nearly month-long Warsaw Ghetto Uprising came to an end as German forces crushed the Jewish
resistance and blew up the Great Synagogue.
In 1984, comedian Andy Kaufman died in Los Angeles at age 35.
Ten years ago: The Bush administration announced a new initiative to speed up the approval process for
new combination AIDS drugs designed to bring cheap, easy-to-use treatment to millions of people in
Africa and the Caribbean.
Five years ago: The ruling Congress party swept to a resounding victory in India’s mammoth national
elections.
One year ago: President Barack Obama named a temporary chief for the scandal-marred Internal Revenue
Service and pressed Congress to approve new security money to prevent another Benghazi-style terrorist
attack.