Editorials

On June 22, 1940, during World War II, Adolf Hitler gained a stunning victory as France was forced to sign an armistice eight days after German forces overran Paris. 

On this date: 

In 1870, Congress created the Department of Justice. 

In 1911, Britain’s King George V was crowned at Westminster Abbey. 

In 1938, heavyweight boxing champion Joe Louis knocked out Max Schmeling in the first round of their rematch at Yankee Stadium. 

In 1944, President Roosevelt signed the “G.I. Bill of Rights.” 

In 1945, the World War II battle for Okinawa officially ended; 12,520 Americans and 110,000 Japanese were killed in the 81-day campaign. 

In 1969, singer-actress Judy Garland died in London at age 47. 

In 1970, President Nixon signed a measure lowering the voting age to 18. 

In 1977, John N. Mitchell became the first former U.S. attorney general to go to prison as he began serving a sentence for his role in the Watergate cover-up. He was released 19 months later. 

In 1987, actor-dancer Fred Astaire died in Los Angeles at age 88. 

In 1993, former first lady Pat Nixon died in Park Ridge, N.J., at age 81. 

Ten years ago: The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that “hate crime” laws that ban cross burning and similar expressions of racial bias violated free-speech rights. 

Five years ago: World leaders concluded a historic summit in Denver with Russia’s full participation for the first time. Dr. Nancy W. Dickey was named the first female president of the American Medical Association. 

One year ago: The British government announced that two teen-agers who were 10 years old when they kidnapped and killed a toddler had been granted parole. Striking Comair pilots ratified a new contract, ending a three-month strike. 

Today’s Birthdays: Fashion designer Bill Blass is 80. Actor Ralph Waite is 74. Country singer Roy Drusky is 72. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., is 69. Singer-actor Kris Kristofferson is 66. CBS News correspondent Ed Bradley is 61. Actor Michael Lerner is 61. Fox News correspondent Brit Hume is 59. Actor Klaus Maria Brandauer is 58. Singer Peter Asher (Peter and Gordon) is 58. Actor Andrew Rubin is 56. Actor David L. Lander is 55. Singer Howard “Eddie” Kaylan is 55. Singer-musician Todd Rundgren is 54. Actress Meryl Streep is 53. Actress Lindsay Wagner is 53. Singer Alan Osmond is 53. Actor Murphy Cross is 52. Actor Graham Greene is 50. Actor Chris Lemmon is 48. Actor Tim Russ (“Star Trek: Voyager”) is 46. Rock musician Garry Beers (INXS) is 45. Actor-producer-writer Bruce Campbell is 44. Rock musician Alan Anton (Cowboy Junkies) is 43. Actress Tracy Pollan is 42. Rock singer-musician Jimmy Somerville is 41. Rock singer-musician Mike Edwards (Jesus Jones) is 38. Actress Amy Brenneman is 38. Actress Paula Irvine is 34. Rock singer Steven Page (Barenaked Ladies) is 32. TV personality Carson Daly is 29. Rock musician Chris Traynor (Helmet) is 29. Actor Donald Faison is 28. Actress Lindsay Ridgeway is 17.