This Day in History for January 8

1935, rock-and-roll legend Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi.

In 1642, astronomer Galileo Galilei died in Arcetri, Italy.

In 1815, US forces led by General Andrew Jackson defeated the British in the Battle of New Orleans -- the closing engagement of the War of 1812.

In 1894, fire caused serious damage at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

In 1918, President Wilson outlined his 14 points for peace after World War One.

In 1918, Mississippi became the first state to ratify a proposed amendment to the US Constitution prohibiting the sale, manufacture or transportation of liquor.

In 1964, President Johnson declared a "War on Poverty."

In 1973, secret peace talks between the United States and North Vietnam resumed near Paris.

In 1976, Chinese premier Chou En-lai died in Beijing at age 78.

In 1982, American Telephone and Telegraph settled the Justice Department's antitrust lawsuit against it by agreeing to divest itself of the 22 Bell System companies.

In 1987, for the first time, the Dow Jones industrial average closed above 2000, ending the day at 2002.25.