Today in history: June 25

updated 12:01 a.m. ET June 25, 2005

Today is Saturday, June 25, the 176th day of 2005. There are 189 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History:
On June 25, 1876, Lt. Col. George A. Custer and his Seventh Cavalry were wiped out by Sioux and Cheyenne Indians in the Battle of the Little Bighorn in Montana.

On this date:
In 1788, the state of Virginia ratified the U.S. Constitution.

In 1942, some 1,000 British Royal Air Force bombers raided Bremen, Germany, during World War II.

In 1950, war broke out in Korea as forces from the communist North invaded the South.

In 1951, the first commercial color telecast took place as CBS transmitted a one-hour special from New York to four other cities.

In 1962, the Supreme Court ruled that the use of an unofficial, non-denominational prayer in New York State public schools was unconstitutional.

In 1967, the Beatles performed their new song, “All You Need Is Love,” during a live international telecast.

In 1973, former White House Counsel John W. Dean began testifying before the Senate Watergate Committee.

In 1975, the People’s Republic of Mozambique came into being, ending nearly five centuries of Portuguese rule.

In 1991, the western Yugoslav republics of Croatia and Slovenia declared their independence.

In 1993, Kim Campbell was sworn in as Canada’s 19th prime minister, the first woman to hold the post.

Ten years ago: Warren Burger, the 15th chief justice of the United States, died in Washington at age 87.

Five years ago: Live-fire training resumed on the Vieques, Puerto Rico, range in the largest naval exercises since a fatal accident prompted a yearlong occupation by protesters. Philip Morris announced it was buying Nabisco for $14.9 billion. South Korea marked the 50th anniversary of the start of the Korean Conflict. Juli Inkster became the first player in 16 years to successfully defend the LPGA Championship.

One year ago: Republican Jack Ryan withdrew from the U.S. Senate race in Illinois after revelations of sex-club visits with his then-wife, actress Jeri Ryan. President Bush and his wife, Laura, opened a European trip as they arrived in Ireland. Taliban fighters killed up to 16 men after learning they had registered for Afghanistan’s U.S.-backed national elections.

Today’s Birthdays: Movie director Sidney Lumet is 81. Actress June Lockhart is 80. Rhythm-and-blues singer Eddie Floyd is 70. Actress Barbara Montgomery is 66. Basketball Hall-of-Famer Willis Reed is 63. Singer Carly Simon is 60. Rock musician Allen Lanier (Blue Oyster Cult) is 59. Rock musician Ian McDonald (Foreigner; King Crimson) is 59. Actor-comedian Jimmie Walker is 58. Actor-director Michael Lembeck is 57. TV personality Phyllis George is 56. Rock singer Tim Finn is 53. Rock musician David Paich (Toto) is 51. Rock singer George Michael is 42. Rapper-producer Richie Rich is 38. Rapper Candyman is 37. Musician Sean Kelly is 34. Rock musician Mario Calire is 31. Actress Linda Cardellini is 30.

Thought for Today: “The press, like fire, is an excellent servant, but a terrible master.” — James Fenimore Cooper, American author (1789-1851).

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