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Today’s Highlight in History: 

On June 24, 1908, the 22nd and 24th president of the United States, Grover Cleveland, died in Princeton, New Jersey, at age 71. 

On this date: 

In 1314, the forces of Scotland’s King Robert I defeated the English in the Battle of Bannockburn. 

In 1497, the first recorded sighting of North America by a European took place as explorer John Cabot spotted land, probably in present-day Canada. 

In 1509, Henry VIII was crowned king of England. 

In 1647, Margaret Brent, a niece of Lord Baltimore, was ejected from the Maryland Assembly after demanding a place and vote in that governing body. 

In 1793, the first republican constitution in France was adopted. 

In 1940, France signed an armistice with Italy during World War II. 

In 1948, Communist forces cut off all land and water routes between West Germany and West Berlin, prompting the western allies to organize the massive Berlin Airlift. 

In 1968, “Resurrection City,” a shantytown constructed as part of the Poor People’s March on Washington D.C., was closed down by authorities. 

In 1975, 113 people were killed when an Eastern Airlines Boeing 727 crashed while attempting to land during a thunderstorm at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. 

In 1987, comedian-actor Jackie Gleason died at his home in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., at age 71. 

Ten years ago: 

The Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, strengthened its 30-year ban on officially sponsored worship in public schools, prohibiting prayer as a part of graduation ceremonies. 

Five years ago: 

In Freehold, N.J., 18-year-old Melissa Drexler, who gave birth during her prom, was charged with murder in the death of her baby. (Drexler served three years in prison.) The Air Force released a report on the so-called “Roswell Incident,” suggesting the alien bodies that witnesses reported seeing in 1947 were actually life-sized dummies. Actor Brian Keith was found dead in his Malibu, home. 

One year ago: 

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon arrived in the United States for talks with President George W. Bush. Karrie Webb won the LPGA Championship by two strokes, completing the Grand Slam. 

Today’s Birthdays: 

Actor Al Molinaro is 83. Comedian Jack Carter is 79. Movie director Claude Chabrol is 72. Actress Michele Lee is 60. Musician Mick Fleetwood is 60. Actor-director Georg Stanford Brown is 59. Rock musician Jeff Beck is 58. Singer Arthur Brown is 58. New York Governor George Pataki is 57. Rock singer Colin Blunstone (The Zombies) is 57. Actor Peter Weller is 55. Rock musician John Illsley (Dire Straits) is 53. Actress Nancy Allen is 52. Reggae singer Derrick Simpson (Black Uhuru) is 52. Reggae singer Astro (UB40) is 45. Singer-musician Andy McCluskey (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark) is 43. Rock singer-musician Curt Smith is 41. Actress Danielle Spencer is 37. Actress Sherry Stringfield is 35. Singer Glenn Medeiros is 32.