Almanac June 12, 2011

In 1987, President Ronald Reagan, during a visit to the divided German city of Berlin, publicly challenged Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev to "tear down this wall."

In 2010, Daniel Nava hit the first pitch he saw as a big leaguer for a grand slam — only the second player to do it — leading the Boston Red Sox to a 10-2 rout of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Today's birthdays

Former President George H.W. Bush is 87. Singer Vic Damone is 83. Actor-singer Jim Nabors is 81. Jazz musician Chick Corea is 70. Sportscaster Marv Albert is 70. Blues musician Kenny Wayne Shepherd is 34.

The sun sets 8:32 p.m. today, rises 5:29 a.m. Monday.

The moon sets 2:40 a.m. today, rises 6:34 p.m. Monday. It is four days after the first quarter.

100 years ago today

1911: New industry: "The A.S. Cameron Steam Pump Works, a well-established industry now located in New York City, has decided to move its plant to Phillipsburg on property adjoining the plant of he Ingersoll-Rand Drill Company, that is said to have a controlling interest in the pump works. It is given out that the A.S. Cameron Steam Pump Works, that sends its product to every part of the world, has a capital of $1,000,000 and will employ about 300 hands as soon as the plant is located in Phillipsburg."

50 years ago today

1961: Escapee is no dummy: A 31-year-old Bloomsbury man, an inmate at the New Jersey State Prison in Trenton, "employed an elaborate ruse" to make his escape. Guards at the prison discovered a stack of benches against the inside of a 14-foot prison wall. A rope made of twisted bedding was hanging down the outside of the wall. He had carefully constructed a dummy and left it in his bed. He had stuffed pajamas with bedding and wadded paper to simulate his body and placed a plaster head on the pillow. The head was complete with glued human hair, apparently collected at the prison barbershop. On the head was a pair of earphones used by prisoners when listening to the prison radio system. The escaped prisoner formerly lived in Phillipsburg, Blairstown and New Village. He was arrested in 1951 for stealing cattle. In 1956 he was arrested for selling a tractor on which a bank held title and for burglaries in Easton. The alarm issued following his escape described him as 'unarmed' and 'probably not dangerous.'"

25 years ago today

1986: One good turn: Larry Holmes' $4 million Riverside Development project was approved unanimously by Easton City Council. "But the proposal to build a five-story commercial office building and a five-story, 32-unit luxury apartment complex faced some jabs during the final round from citizens who would like to see the 3.2 acre tract along Larry Holmes Drive developed a bit differently. Former Easton Mayor Philip Mitman said he is pleased that Larry Holmes Enterprises Inc. has been named developer of the tract at the confluence of the Delaware and Lehigh rivers but he'd like to see the office building turned slightly to the east so the front would face the river, giving a better view of the river from Ferry Street."