Highlight: In 1973, the last United States combat troops left South Vietnam, ending America’s direct military involvement in the Vietnam War. In an address to the nation, President Richard Nixon declared, “For the first time in 12 years, no American military forces are in Vietnam.”

In 1613, King James I granted a charter officially designating the Irish city of Derry as “Londonderry.”

In 1638, Swedish colonists settled in present-day Delaware.

In 1812, the first White House wedding took place as Lucy Payne Washington, the sister of First Lady Dolley Madison, married Supreme Court Justice Thomas Todd.

In 1871, the Royal Albert Hall in London was opened by Queen Victoria.

In 1882, the Knights of Columbus was chartered in Connecticut.

In 1912, British explorer Robert Falcon Scott, his doomed expedition stranded in an Antarctic blizzard after failing to be the first to reach the South Pole, wrote the last words of his journal: “For God’s sake look after our people.”

In 1943, World War II rationing of meat, fats and cheese began.

In 1951, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were convicted of conspiracy to commit espionage. (They were executed in June 1953.) The Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “The King and I” opened on Broadway.

In 1962, Jack Paar hosted NBC’s “Tonight” show for the final time, although the network aired a repeat the following night. (Johnny Carson debuted as host the following October.)

In 1971, Army Lt. William Calley was convicted of murdering 22 Vietnamese civilians in the My Lai massacre. (Calley ended up serving three years under house arrest.) A jury in Los Angeles recommended the death penalty for Charles Manson and three female followers for the 1969 Tate-La Bianca murders. (The sentences were later commuted.)

Ten years ago: In Iraq, a bomber posing as a taxi driver blew up his vehicle, killing himself and four American soldiers.

Five years ago: Anti-American Shiite militia leader Muqtada al-Sadr ordered his followers to defy orders from the Iraqi government to surrender their weapons.

One year ago: A divided House approved a $3.6 trillion Republican budget recasting Medicare and imposing sweeping cuts in domestic programs.

Today’s Birthdays: Political commentator John McLaughlin is 86. Author Judith Guest is 77. Former British Prime Minister Sir John Major is 70. Comedian Eric Idle is 70. Composer Vangelis is 70. Basketball Hall of Famer Walt Frazier is 68. Singer Bobby Kimball (Toto) is 66. Actor Brendan Gleeson is 58. Actor Christopher Lawford is 58. Pro and College Football Hall of Famer Earl Campbell is 58. International Gymnastics Hall of Famer Kurt Thomas is 57. Actor Christopher Lambert is 56. Rock singer Perry Farrell (Porno for Pyros; Jane’s Addiction) is 54. Comedian-actress Amy Sedaris is 52. Model Elle Macpherson is 50. Rock singer-musician John Popper (Blues Traveler) is 46.

Actress Lucy Lawless is 45. Country singer Regina Leigh (Regina Regina) is 45. Country singer Brady Seals is 44. Former White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs is 42. Tennis player Jennifer Capriati is 37. Actor Chris D’Elia is 33. Pop singer Kelly Sweet is 25.