It’s Sunday, Aug. 19, the 232nd day of 2012. There are 134 days left in the year.
HAPPENINGS
• Embattled WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is set to face the world’s media today from the safe haven of the Ecuadorean Embassy in London but risks arrest if he takes one step out of the building.
• It’s National Aviation Day, in honor of the birthday of aviator Orville Wright.
IN HOSTORY
Highlights: In 1812, the USS Constitution defeated the British frigate HMS Guerriere off Nova Scotia during the War of 1812, earning the nickname “Old Ironsides." In 1909, the first automobile races were run at the just-opened Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Ten years ago: An ailing John Paul II bid a tearful farewell as he concluded a four-day visit to the Krakow region of Poland; it turned out to be his last visit to his homeland.
Five years ago: Elvira Arellano, an illegal immigrant who’d taken refuge in a Chicago church to avoid being separated from her U.S.-born son, was deported to Mexico. Hurricane Dean pummeled Jamaica with gusting winds and torrential rains as a Category 4 storm.
One year ago: Kentucky beat Pennsylvania 1-0 to win the Little League World Series at South Williamsport, Pa. Danell Leyva beat two-time defending champion Jonathan Horton for his first title at the U.S. gymnastics championships in St. Paul, Minn.
BIRTHDAYS
Actor L.Q. Jones is 85. Actress Debra Paget is 79. Former MLB All-Star Bobby Richardson is 77. Actress Diana Muldaur is 74. Singer Johnny Nash is 72. Actor and former U.S. senator Fred Thompson is 70. Country singer-songwriter Eddy Raven is 68. Former President Bill Clinton is 66. Former second lady Tipper Gore is 64. Actor-director Jonathan Frakes is 60. Political consultant Mary Matalin is 59. Actor Peter Gallagher is 57. Actor Adam Arkin is 56. Singer-songwriter Gary Chapman is 55. Actor John Stamos is 49. Actress Kyra Sedgwick is 47. Actor Kevin Dillon is 47. Country singer Lee Ann Womack is 46. Actor Matthew Perry is 43. Country singer Clay Walker is 43.
— From wire reports
