Today is Friday, April 30, the 120th day of 2010. There are 245 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight

in History

On April 30, 1970, President Richard M. Nixon announced the U.S. was sending troops into Cambodia, an action that sparked widespread protest.

On this date

In 1789, George Washington took office in New York as the first president of the United States.

In 1803, the United States purchased the Louisiana Territory from France for 60 million francs, the equivalent of about $15 million.

In 1812, Louisiana became the 18th state of the Union.

In 1859, the Charles Dickens novel “A Tale of Two Cities” was first published, in serial form.

In 1939, the New York World’s Fair officially opened with a ceremony that included an address by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

In 1945, as Russian troops approached his Berlin bunker, Adolf Hitler committed suicide along with his wife of one day, Eva Braun.

In 1973, President Richard M. Nixon announced the resignations of top aides H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman, along with Attorney General Richard G. Kleindienst and White House counsel John Dean.

Ten years ago

Hundreds of thousands participated in a gay-rights rally in Washington.

Five years ago

Vietnam marked the 30th anniversary of the war’s end. James Toney outpointed John Ruiz to win the WBA heavyweight title in New York.

One year ago

Chrysler filed for bankruptcy protection; the federal government pledged up to $8 billion in additional aid and to back warranties. The Iraq war formally ended for British forces as they handed control of the oil-rich Basra area to U.S. commanders.

Today’s Birthdays

Actress Cloris Leachman is 84. Singer Willie Nelson is 77. Actor Paul Gross is 51. Basketball Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas is 49. Rock musician Chris Henderson (3 Doors Down) is 39. Country singer Carolyn Dawn Johnson is 39. Rhythm-and-blues singer Akon is 37. Rhythm-and-blues singer Jeff Timmons (98 Degrees) is 37. Actor Johnny Galecki is 35. Singer-musician Cole Deggs (Cole Deggs and the Lonesome) is 34. Rapper Lloyd Banks is 28. Actress Kirsten Dunst is 28. Country singer Tyler Wilkinson (The Wilkinsons) is 26.

Thought for Today

“In America, getting on in the world means getting out of the world we have known before.”

— Ellery Sedgwick,

American editor (1872-1960)