Today is Tuesday, August 3, the 215th day of 2010. There are 150 days left in the year.

On this date

In 1492, Christopher Columbus set sail from Palos, Spain, on a voyage that took him to the present-day Americas.

In 1914, Germany declared war on France at the onset of the First World War.

In 1980, closing ceremonies were held in Moscow for the Summer Olympic Games, which had been boycotted by dozens of countries, including the US.

In 1981, US air traffic controllers went on strike, despite a warning from President Ronald Reagan they would be fired, which they were.

Thought for Today

"It takes a great deal of history to produce a little literature." — Henry James, American author (1843-1916).