News of the Day: 1990

Friday, April 13, 2001 | 9:40 a.m.

Feb. 11: Mandela to be free after 27 1/2 years

Story: President F.W. de Klerk announced Saturday that Nelson Mandela would be released from a prison outside Cape Town on Sunday afternoon, ending 27 1/2 years of imprisonment for South Africa's most celebrated black leader.

Saying the release "will bring us to the end of a long chapter," deKlerk coupled his announcement with an appeal to the 71-year-old black leader to help steer the country toward a negotiated political settlement between whites and blacks.

April 3: Rebels rule NCAA

Story: In a year where so much went wrong, UNLV did something so right that no one can dispute the Rebels are truly the national champions.

The 103-73 NCAA Tournament victory over Duke on Monday night before a sellout crowd in McNichols Arena was the most lopsided finale in the 51-year history of the Final Four. An 18-0 run early in the second half signaled the death knell for the Blue Devils, who hadn't seen defensive play like this all season.

Led by the NCAA Tournament's outstanding player Anderson Hunt, who hit 12 of 16 from the field to finish with a game-high 29 points, and Larry Johnson, who added 22, the Rebels raced out to a 75-47 advantage that Duke couldn't overcome.

May 17: Curtain falls for Sammy

Story: Sammy Davis Jr., a versatile and dynamic singer, dancer and actor who overcame extraordinary obstacles to become a leading American entertainer, died of cancer Wednesday. He was 64 years old.

The showman was born in a Harlem tenement, grew up in vaudeville from age 3 and never went to school.

His talents -- as a mime, comedian, trumpeter, drummer, pianist, vibraphone player as well as singer and dancer were shaped from his childhood and eventually made him one of the nation's first black performers to gain mainstream acclaim.

Aug. 2: Iraq seizes Kuwait

Story: Iraq's powerful army invaded the small oil-rich kingdom of Kuwait today. Tank-led troops quickly seized the ruler's palace and government buildings, and the emir fled to Saudi Arabia, Kuwaiti officials said.

Kuwait's U.S. ambassador said the Iraqis occupied all government buildings in the capital and were moving south toward the country's oil facilities. He appealed for U.S. military intervention.