August 10 in history Thought for Today: "It is easier to make a saint out of a libertine than out of a prig." -- George Santayana, Spanish-born philosopher (1863-1952). Today is Sunday, August 10, the 222nd day of 2003. There are 143 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On August 10, 1846, Congress chartered the Smithsonian Institution, named after English scientist James Smithson, whose bequest of $500,000 had made it possible. On This Day: In 1809, Ecuador struck its first blow for independence from Spain. In 1821, Missouri became the 24th state. In 1874, Herbert Clark Hoover, the 31st president of the United States, was born in West Branch, Iowa. In 1921, Franklin D. Roosevelt was stricken with polio at his summer home on the Canadian island of Campobello. In 1944, during World War II, American forces overcame remaining Japanese resistance on Guam. In 1948, Allen Funt's "Candid Microphone," later titled "Candid Camera," made its television debut on ABC. In 1949, the National Military Establishment was renamed the Department of Defense. In 1969, Leno and Rosemary LaBianca were murdered in their Los Angeles home by members of Charles Manson's cult, one day after actress Sharon Tate and four other people were slain. In 1977, postal employee David Berkowitz was arrested in Yonkers, N.Y., accused of being "Son of Sam," the gunman responsible for six slayings. In 1988, President Reagan signed a measure providing $20,000 payments to Japanese-Americans who were interned during World War II. Ten years ago: President Clinton signed a massive deficit-reduction bill into law. Ruth Bader Ginsburg was sworn in as the second female justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. Five years ago: Secretary of State Madeleine Albright announced a $2 million reward for information leading to the conviction of the terrorists who bombed U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, killing 224 people, including 12 Americans. One year ago: Leaders of Roman Catholic religious orders, meeting in Philadelphia, approved a plan to keep sexually abusive clergy away from children. Sammy Sosa hit three three-run homers in Chicago's 15-1 rout of Colorado. Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants broke Willie McCovey's 1969 record for intentional walks in a season with his 46th of the year. Today's Birthdays: Singer Al Alberts (The Four Aces) is 81. Actress Rhonda Fleming is 80. Bluegrass singer-songwriter Jimmy Martin is 76. Singer Jimmy Dean is 75. Singer Eddie Fisher is 75. Actress Kate O'Mara is 64. Singer Bobby Hatfield (The Righteous Brothers) is 63. Singer Ronnie Spector is 60. Actor James Reynolds ("Days of our Lives") is 57. Rock singer-musician Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull) is 56. Singer Patti Austin is 55. Country musician Gene Johnson (Diamond Rio) is 54. Actor Daniel Hugh Kelly is 51. Actress Rosanna Arquette is 44. Actor Antonio Banderas is 43. Rock musician Jon Farriss (INXS) is 42. Singer Julia Fordham is 41. Singer Neneh Cherry is 39. Singer Aaron Hall is 39. Rhythm-and-blues singer Lorraine Pearson (Five Star) is 36. Rock musician Todd Nichols is 36. Singer-producer Michael Bivins is 35. Actor Justin Theroux is 32. Actress Angie Harmon is 31. Country singer Jennifer Hanson is 30. Rhythm-and-blues singer Nikki Bratcher (Divine) is 23. Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved.