BOSTON (AP) — A 12-pound chunk of the moon that fell to the Earth as a
lunar meteorite has been sold at auction for more than $600,000. It was
found last year in a remote area of Mauritania in northwest Africa.

Boston-based RR Auction announced Friday the $612,500 winning bid for
the meteorite, composed of six fragments that fit together like a puzzle,
came from a representative working with the Tam Chuc Pagoda complex
in Ha Nam Province, Vietnam. They predicted it would get $500,000 at
auction.

It is considered one of the most significant lunar meteorites ever found
because of its large size and because it has "partial fusion crust" caused
by the tremendous heat that sears the rock as it falls to Earth.

TIM MAGUIRE

General Douglas MacArthur (center) fulfilled his promise to return
to the Philippines on this day in 1944 when an amphibious retaking
of the islands by allied forces took place.

It was on this day in 1977.

The Convair aircraft before the crash.

On this day in 1947, Hollywood came under scrutiny as the House
Un-American Activities Committee opened hearings into alleged Communist influence within the motion picture industry.

Hollywood stars (Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart in the lead) descend on the Capitol to lodge their note of protest against the
HUAC’s proceedings.

Photograph of HUAC hearing with actor Gary Cooper (far left).