Today is Saturday, May 17, the 138th day of 2008. There are 228 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On May 17, 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka decision, which found that racially segregated public schools were inherently unequal, and therefore unconstitutional. On this date: In 1792, the New York Stock Exchange had its origins as a group of brokers met under a tree on Wall Street. In 1875, the first Kentucky Derby was run; the winner was Aristides. In 1938, Congress passed the Second Vinson Act, providing for a strengthened U.S. Navy. In 1938, the radio quiz show "Information, Please!" made its debut on the NBC Blue Network. In 1939, Britain's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth arrived in Quebec on the first visit to Canada by reigning British sovereigns. In 1946, President Truman seized control of the nation's railroads, delaying _ but not preventing _ a threatened strike by engineers and trainmen. In 1973, the Senate began its televised hearings into the Watergate scandal. In 1978, women were included in the White House honor guard for the first time as President Carter welcomed Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda. Continued... |