THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2008

Today is Thursday, May 22, the 143rd day of 2008. There are 223 days left in the year.

1570 _ First atlas, with 70 maps, published

1761 _ First life insurance policy in U.S., issued in Philadelphia

1803 _ First public library opens (Connecticut)

1927 _ 8.3 earthquake strikes Nan-Shan China, 200,000 killed

1939 _ Hitler and Mussolini sign ``Pact of Steel"

1943 _ Stalin disbands Komintern

1964 _ LBJ presents ``Great Society"

1973 _ President Nixon confesses his role in Watergate coverup

1990 _ North and South Yemen merge to form Republic of Yemen

1992 _ Johnny Carson's final appearance as host of the Tonight Show