As part of a daily feature called Today in History, The Associated Press supplied newspapers across the country with a quotation from Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederate States of America.

The quote — “Never be haughty to the humble; never be humble to the haughty” — was included as the feature’s Thought for Today on June 3, Davis’s birth date.

“We are embarrassed that this happened and we apologize,” an A.P. spokeswoman said.

Today in History notes historical and trivial events that took place on the date in question, along with the birthdays of famous people dead and alive.