Today in history

Today is Thursday, Aug. 16, the 228th day of 2007. There are 137 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History: On Aug. 16, 1977, Elvis Presley died at his Graceland estate in Memphis, Tenn., at age 42.

On this date: In 1777, American forces won the Revolutionary War Battle of Bennington.

In 1812, Detroit fell to British and Indian forces in the War of 1812.

In 1858, a telegraphed message from Britain’s Queen Victoria to President James Buchanan was transmitted over the recently laid trans-Atlantic cable.

In 1948, baseball legend Babe Ruth died in New York at age 53.

In 1954, Sports Illustrated was first published by Time Inc.

In 1956, Adlai E. Stevenson was nominated for president at the Democratic national convention in Chicago.

In 1960, Britain ceded control of the crown colony of Cyprus.

In 1987, 156 people were killed when Northwest Airlines Flight 255 crashed while trying to take off from Detroit.

In 1987, thousands of people worldwide began a two-day celebration of the “harmonic convergence,” which heralded what believers called the start of a new, purer age of humankind.

In 2000, delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles formally nominated Al Gore for president.