TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2008

Today is Tuesday, September 16, the 260th day of 2008. There are 106 days left in the year.

1630 Mass village of Shawmut changes name to Boston

1662 Flamsteed sees solar eclipse, first known astronomical observation

1795 British capture Capetown

1810 Hidalgo begins Mexican revolt against Spain (National Day)

1857 Typesetting machine patent

1908 General Motors founded by William C. Durant

1966 Metropolitan Opera opens at N.Y.'s Lincoln Center

1974 President Ford announces conditional amnesty for U.S., Vietnam War deserters

1982 Massacre of 1000-odd Palestinian refugees at Chatila and Sabra begins

1991 U.S. trial of Panamanian leader Noriega begins