Anniversaries

President Hu Jintao called for strengthened cooperation with the United States as the two countries marked the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties on New Year's Day. Thousands of doves were released in Beijing's Tiananmen Square at dawn as the Chinese flag was raised. The U.S. switched diplomatic recognition from Nationalist Party-controlled Taiwan to communist China on Jan. 1, 1979.

In two months, one of the world's biggest and most durable military alliances will celebrate its 60th anniversary. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization has racked up a long file of achievements, the foremost of which was facing down the Soviet Union during the Cold War. But recent years have brought challenges: the fighting in Afghanistan, tension between the U.S. and some of its European allies, and a newly resurgent Russia. For most of this difficult period, the organization has been headed by Jakob Gijsbert (Jaap)

China warned the West not to "put its fingers into" Tibet as the anniversary of riots in Lhasa passed with heavy security to prevent any challenge to Beijing's rule. On March 14 last year, rioting broke out in Lhasa after days of protests against Chinese rule by Buddhist monks, leaving 19 people dead and sparking waves of protests across Tibetan areas. Exile groups say more than 200 people died in the crackdown. This year on the anniversary, a web of troops and police deterred any flare-ups.

Testimonials about the misery of life in old Tibet kicked off celebrations for the newest holiday on China's political calendar: the communist government's overturning of the region's feudal hierarchy. Publicized in TV documentaries, editorials in the state media and museum exhibits, what Beijing calls Serfs Liberation Day likens the end of the Dalai Lama's rule 50 years ago to Abraham Lincoln's emancipation of the slaves. "Abolishing old Tibet's theocratic feudal system is an important milestone in the world's anti-slavery movement," senior Communist Party leader Jia Qinglin said at a conclave to kick off celebrations in Beijing, on the eve of the anniversary today.

China marked 50 years of direct control over Tibet, observing a new political holiday honoring what it calls the liberation of slaves from brutal feudal rule. Testimonials about the misery of life in old Tibet kicked off the short ceremony -- televised live from in front of the Potala Palace in Lhasa -- recognizing the end of the Dalai Lama's rule in Tibet. The Tibetan government-in-exile said on its website that the new holiday, called Serfs Liberation Day, would be a day of mourning.

For the 35th anniversary of his "A Prairie Home Companion," humorist Garrison Keillor will be in "Lake Wobegon" when he reads the news from Lake Wobegon. Keillor, 66, caps the latest season of "A Prairie Home Companion" with a Fourth of July broadcast from Avon, part of the central Minnesota region that helped inspire Keillor's make-believe hometown, "where all the women are strong, all the men are good-looking and all the children are above average." The performance marks 35 years since Keillor's public radio variety show debuted on July 6, 1974, at Macalester College in St. Paul.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has lined up many of its members for a blowout concert celebrating its 25th anniversary. Bruce Springsteen, U2, Stevie Wonder, Metallica and Aretha Franklin are among the performers. The concert will take place over two nights next month at New York's Madison Square Garden, with highlights shown on HBO over Thanksgiving weekend. Other performers include Eric Clapton; Crosby, Stills & Nash; Paul Simon with and without Art Garfunkel; Jackson Browne; Chuck Berry; Van Morrison; Jerry Lee Lewis; Sting; and James Taylor.

Kelly Ripa and her husband, Mark Consuelos, will return to ABC's "All My Children" for the daytime soap opera's 40th anniversary in January. Ripa and Consuelos' episodes will air Jan. 4-5. It will be the first time either actor has appeared on "All My Children" since they left the show in 2002. She is now co-host of the morning talk show "Live With Regis and Kelly."

They each stood by, bundled in scarves and coats. Slight murmurs wafted through the air. But as the 80-foot barricade came tumbling down, cheers erupted. Berlin it wasn't. But very early Monday morning, Los Angeles paid tribute to the historic collapse of the wall that kept a city divided for 28 years. About 700 people gathered on Wilshire Boulevard near Ogden Drive to take part in the Wende Museum's "A Wall Across Wilshire," a symbolic re-creation of the wall that once separated East and West Berlin.

The Sepulveda VA Medical Center will host a special ceremony Monday to mark the centennial anniversary of the Jewish War Veterans Organization. U.S. Rep. Howard L. Berman (D-Panorama City) will deliver the keynote address at the ceremony. He will be joined by national, state and local Jewish war veterans officials as well as representatives from other veterans service organizations.