SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2008

Today is Saturday, October 4, the 278th day of 2008. There are 88 days left in the year.

1824 _ Mexico becomes a republic

1830 _ Provisional government declares secession of Belgium from Netherlands

1864 _ New Orleans Tribune, first black daily newspaper, forms

1883 _ Orient Express' first run, linking Turkey to Europe by rail

1910 _ Portugal becomes a republic, King Manuel II flees to England

1940 _ Adolph Hitler and Benito Mussolini confer at Brenner Pass in the Alps

1955 _ Rev. Moon Sun-myong leaves prison in Seoul

1958 _ 5th French republic established

1958 _ Transatlantic commercial jet passenger service began (BOAC)

1984 _ U.S. government closes down due to budget problems