Branding Mary-Kate and Ashley

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Jun 14, 2002

In 1846, a group of U.S. settlers in Sonoma proclaimed the Republic of California.

In 1922, Warren G. Harding became the first president heard on radio, as Baltimore station WEAR broadcast his speech dedicating the Francis Scott Key memorial at Fort McHenry.

In 1940, German troops entered Paris during World War II.

In 1940, in German-occupied Poland, the Nazis opened their concentration camp at Auschwitz.

In 1943, the Supreme Court ruled schoolchildren could not be compelled to salute the flag of the United States if doing so conflicted with their religious beliefs.

In 1954, President Eisenhower signed an order adding the words "under God" to the Pledge of Allegiance.

Ten years ago: Mona Van Duyn became the first woman to be named the nation's poet laureate by the Library of Congress.

An odd couple

DETROIT (AP) -- Fast food and health care seem an unlikely pair, though a new study shows that fast-food franchises are selling their wares in some of the most health-conscious of places -- hospitals. More than a third of the nation's 16 top hospitals boast on-site regional or national fast food franchises, according to a University of Michigan Health System and Ann Arbor VA Medical Center survey.

Michigan Health System research fellow Peter Cram said the high- calorie havens might send mixed messages to hospital patients, visitors and employees. "On one hand we say obesity is linked to fast food and at the same time we make it easy to get in health institutions," Cram said. He said 18 percent of adult Americans are considered to be obese.

Whales as tourist attractions

SYDNEY (AP) -- In addition to its landmark harbor bridge and opera house, Sydney is boasting a new waterfront attraction for visitors -- whales. Hundreds of them.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service says Australia's most populous city is also one of the country's best for catching a glimpse of migrating marine mammals and now is the time of year to go looking. One of the best spots for watching the whales while keeping both feet on dry land is Kurnell at the mouth of Botany Bay, where British explorer Capt. James Cook moored his ship, Endeavour, when he first came ashore at what later became Sydney.

"On one day alone last year, June 23, a record 48 whales were spotted passing Kurnell," says Brian Gilligan, director general of the parks and wildlife group. "The sheer cliffs and clear horizon at the end of the Kurnell Peninsular make it an ideal vantage point and seems to be a milestone for the migrating whales, which can come within yards of the shore at this point."