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Tuesday, September 09, 2008

SEPTEMBER 9TH

Today is Tuesday, Septemner 9, the 253rd day of 2008.
There are 113 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:
  • On September 9, 1776, the second Continental Congress made the term "United States" official, replacing "United Colonies."
On this date:
  • In 1830, Charles Durant flew a balloon from New York City across the Hudson River to Perth Amboy, N.J.
  • In 1850, California became the 31st state of the union.
  • In 1893, Frances Cleveland, wife of President Cleveland, gave birth to a daughter, Esther, in the White House; it was the first time a president's child was born in the executive mansion.
  • In 1926, the National Broadcasting Co. (NBC) was incorporated by the Radio Corporation of America.
  • In 1948, the People's Democratic Republic of Korea (North Korea) was declared.
  • In 1956, Elvis Presley made the first of three appearances on "The Ed Sullivan Show."
  • In 1957, President Eisenhower signed into law the first civil rights bill to pass Congress since Reconstruction.
  • In 1971, prisoners seized control of the maximum-security Attica Correctional Facility near Buffalo, N.Y., beginning a siege that claimed 43 lives.
  • In 1976, Communist Chinese leader Mao Zedong died in Beijing at age 82.
  • In 1997, Sinn Fein, the IRA's political ally, formally renounced violence as it took its place in talks on Northern Ireland's future.
Ten years ago:
  • Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr delivered to Congress 36 boxes of material concerning his investigation of President Clinton.
  • Four tourists who had paid $32,500 each were taken in a tiny submarine to view the wreckage of the Titanic 2 1/2 miles below the ocean surface off Newfoundland.
Five years ago:
  • The Boston Roman Catholic Archdiocese agreed to pay $85 million to 552 people to settle clergy sex abuse cases.
  • France's leading undertaker estimated the country's death toll from a summer heat wave at 15,000.
  • Twin Palestinian suicide bombings killed 16 Israelis.
  • Nuclear scientist Edward Teller died at age 95.
One year ago:
  • Seemingly taunting Osama bin Laden, President Bush's homeland security adviser, Frances Fragos Townsend, said in Sunday talk-show appearances that the fugitive al-Qaida leader was "virtually impotent" beyond his ability to hide away and spread anti-American propaganda.
  • Roger Federer beat Novak Djokovic 7-6 (4), 7-6 (2), 6-4 to win his fourth straight U.S. Open championship.
  • Britney Spears performed her new single "Gimme More" in a much-criticized comeback attempt at the MTV Video Music Awards in Las Vegas.
Today's Birthdays:
  • Actor Cliff Robertson is 85.
  • Actor Topol is 73.
  • Rhythm-and-blues singer Luther Simmons is 66.
  • Singer Inez Foxx is 66.
  • Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Alphonso Jackson is 63.
  • Singer Dee Dee Sharp is 63.
  • Rock singer-musician Doug Ingle is 62.
  • Country singer Freddy Weller is 61.
  • Football commentator Joe Theismann is 59.
  • Actor Tom Wopat is 57.
  • Actress Angela Cartwright is 56.
  • Musician-producer Dave Stewart is 56.
  • Actor Hugh Grant is 48.
  • Actor Adam Sandler is 42.
  • Actor David Bennent is 42.
  • Rock singer Paul Durham (Black Lab) is 40.
  • Model Rachel Hunter is 39.
  • Actor Goran Visnjic is 36.
  • Pop-jazz singer Michael Buble is 33.
  • Latin singer Maria Rita is 31.
  • Actress Michelle Williams is 28.
Thought for Today:
"Neurosis is the way of avoiding non-being by avoiding being."
Paul Tillich, American theologian (1886-1965).


"Let's all be careful out there!"