FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 2008

Today is Friday, August 15, the 228th day of 2008. There are 138 days left in the year.

1057 _ Macbeth, King of Scotland, slain by son of King Duncan

1620 _ Mayflower sets sail from Southampton with 102 Pilgrims

1914 _ Panama Canal opens (under cost)

1918 _ U.S. and Russia sever diplomatic ties

1939 _ ``Wizard of Oz" premiers at Grauman's Chinese Theater, Hollywood

1945 _ Korea liberated from Japanese rule

1948 _ Republic of Korea (South Korea) proclaimed (National Day)

1966 _ Radio Free Asia (South Korea) begins radio transmission

1971 _ Pres Nixon announces 90-day freeze on wages, prices and rents

1974 _ South Korean President Park Chung-hee escapes assassination