- In 2001, an American Airlines Airbus A300-600, en route from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport to the Dominican Republic, crashed 103 seconds after takeoff, killing 265 people.

- Ten years ago: Singer Michael Jackson canceled a world tour, citing a dependence on painkillers.

- Thought for today: "Private opinion creates public opinion. ... That is why private opinion, and private behaviour, and private conversation are so terrifyingly important." -- Jan Struther (nee Joyce Anstruther), English poet (1901-1953)