Today in HistoryToday is Friday, April 27, the 117th day of 2007. There are 248 days left in the year.

ON THIS DATE<$>

In 1570, Pope Pius V excommunicated Queen Elizabeth I.

In 1945, the Allies rejected peace offers by German SS chief Heinrich Himmler, insisting on unconditional surrender.

In 1978, Communist members of Afghanistan’s armed forces seized power, establishing a government based on Islamic principles. President Daoud was killed and new President Nur Mohammed Taraki proclaimed the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

“The trouble with our age is all signposts and no destination.” — Louis Kronenberger, American author (1904-1980).