Today is Friday, June 5, the 156th day of 2009. There are 209 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History

On June 5, 1968, Sen. Robert Kennedy was shot and fatally wounded in Los Angeles’ Ambassador Hotel after claiming victory in California’s Democratic presidential primary. Gunman Sirhan Bishara Sirhan was immediately arrested.

On this date

In 1917, about 10 million American men began registering for the draft in World War I.

In 1933, the United States went off the gold standard.

In 1947, Secretary of State George Marshall gave a speech at Harvard University in which he outlined an aid program for Europe that came to be known as The Marshall Plan.

In 1967, war erupted in the Mideast as Israel raided military aircraft parked on the ground in Egypt; Syria, Jordan and Iraq entered the conflict.

In 1976, 14 people were killed when the Teton Dam in Idaho burst.

Five years ago

Ronald Reagan, the 40th president of the United States, died in Los Angeles at age 93 after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Today’s Birthdays

Actor-singer Bill Hayes is 84. Broadcast journalist Bill Moyers is 75. Author Ken Follett is 60. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, is 58. Jazz musician Kenny G is 53. Actor Ron Livingston is 42. Singer Brian McKnight is 40. Actor Mark Wahlberg is 38. Actor Chad Allen is 35. Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Torry Holt is 33. Actress Navi Rawat is 32. Actress Liza Weil is 32. Actress Amanda Crew is 23.

Thought for Today

“Whatever else history may say about me when I’m gone, I hope it will record that I appealed to your best hopes, not your worst fears; to your confidence rather than your doubts.”

— Ronald Reagan, 40th president of the United States (1911-2004)