Today in history | The Olympian

n In 1492, Muhammad XI, the sultan of Granada, the last Arab stronghold in Spain, surrendered to Spanish forces.

n In 1788, Georgia became the fourth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.

n In 1921, religious services were broadcast on radio for the first time as KDKA in Pittsburgh aired the regular Sunday service of the city's Calvary Episcopal Church.

n In 1929, the United States and Canada reached agreement on joint action to preserve Niagara Falls.

n In 1935, Bruno Hauptmann went on trial in Flemington, N.J., on charges of kidnapping and murdering the 20-month-old son of Charles and Anne Lindbergh. (Hauptmann was found guilty, and executed.)

n In 1942, the Philippine capital of Manila was captured by Japanese forces during World War II.

n In 1960, Sen. John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts announced his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination.

n In 1965, the New York Jets signed University of Alabama quarterback Joe Namath for a reported $400,000.

n In 1974, President Nixon signed legislation requiring states to limit highway speeds to 55 mph (however, federal speed limits were abolished in 1995).

n In 1986, former baseball owner Bill Veeck, remembered for his well-publicized stunts and promotional gimmicks, including an exploding scoreboard and a midget pinch-hitter, died in Chicago at age 71.

n Ten years ago: Rain and melting snow swamped the West, trapping visitors in Yosemite National Park, closing casinos in Reno, Nev., and forcing the evacuation of 50,000 Californians.

n Five years ago: The new Afghan government confirmed that American bombs had killed the Taliban's intelligence chief (Qari Ahmadullah). Eduardo Duhalde was sworn in as Argentina's president. The No. 5 Florida Gators crushed No. 6 Maryland 56-23 in the Orange Bowl.

n One year ago: A methane gas explosion at the Sago Mine in West Virginia claimed the lives of 12 miners, but one miner, Randal McCloy Jr., was eventually rescued. The roof of a skating rink collapsed in the German town of Bad Reichenhall, killing 15 people. No. 4 Ohio State beat No. 5 Notre Dame 34-20 in the Fiesta Bowl.