FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2012

Today is Friday, August 3, the 216th day of 2012. There are 150 days left in the year.

1492 ― Columbus sets sail from Palos, Spain for ``Indies"

1596 ― David Fabricius discovers light variation of Mira (first variable star)

1882 ― Congress passes first law restricting immigration

1914 ― Germany invades Belgium and declares war on France in WW I

1954 ― First VTOL (Vertical Take-Off & Land) flown

1963 ― Beatles final performance at the Cavern Club in Liverpool

1974 ― Guitarist Jeff Baxter quits Steely Dan and joins Doobie Brothers

1981 ― Air Traffic Controllers (PATCO) begin their strike

1989 ― Rickey Henderson sets AL mark of 50 steals in nine seasons

1990― Radio Kuwait goes off the air, due to the Iraqi invasion