- Today is Saturday, April 24, the 114th day of 1999. There are 251
                    days left in the year.

                  - On this date in 1980, the U.S. launched a failed attempt to free
                    American hostages in Iran.
                  - In 1792, Capt. Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle composed "La
                    Marseillaise," the national anthem of France.
                  - In 1800, Congress established the Library of Congress in Washington,
                    D.C.
                  - In 1833, Jacob Evert and George Dulty patented the soda fountain.
                  - In 1898, Spain declared war on the United States after receiving an
                    ultimatum to withdraw from Cuba.
                  - In 1915, the Ottoman Turkish Empire began deporting Armenians during
                    World War I.
                  - In 1916, Irish nationalists launched the Easter Rising, seizing key
                    points in Dublin, including the post office, and proclaiming an
                    Irish Republic.
                  - In 1945, American forces liberated Dachau concentration camp.
                  - In 1953, Queen Elizabeth II knighted Winston Churchill.
                  - In 1961, Sandy Koufax of the Los Angeles Dodgers struck out 18
                    batters in one game, becoming the first major league pitcher to
                    do so on two different occasions.
                  - In 1967, Vladimir Komarov, the first Russian to fly in the Soyuz
                    craft, was killed when he crash-landed in Russia after his 17th
                    orbit of Earth.
                  - In 1968, Students at Columbia University began a week-long
                    occupation of several campus buildings.
                  - In 1986, The Duchess of Windsor (Wallis Warfield) died at age 89. As
                    Wallis Simpson, her romance with King Edward VIII led to his
                    abdication in 1936.

                  *Today's Birthday*

                  - Actor/playwright Eric Bogosian is 45.
                  - Actor J.D. Cannon is 76.
                  - Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley is 56.
                  - Author Sue Grafton is 58.
                  - Actress Shirley MacLaine is 64.
                  - Actor Michael O'Keefe (Caddyshack) is 43.
                  - Singer Richard Sterban (The Oak Ridge Boys) is 55.
                  - Actress/singer Barbra Streisand is 56.