Today in HistoryToday is Tuesday, May 8, the 128th day of 2007. There are 237 days left in the year.

ON THIS DATE<$>

In 1541, Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto reached the Mississippi River.

In 1942, the Battle of the Coral Sea ended when a US fleet turned back a Japanese invasion force heading for Port Moresby in New Guinea. The battle was unusual in that no shots were fired.

In 1945, Prime Minister Winston Churchill broadcast to the nation and the Commonwealth as part of VE Day (Victory in Europe) celebrations; President Harry Truman broadcast to the American people.

In 1970, anti-war protests took place across the United States and around the world; in New York, construction workers broke up a demonstration on Wall Street.

In 1987, Gary Hart, dogged by questions about his personal life, including his relationship with Miami model Donna Rice, withdrew from the race for the Democratic presidential nomination.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

“What this country really needs is a good five-cent nickel.” — Franklin P. Adams, American journalist-humorist (1881-1960).