FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2008

Today is Friday, December 19, the 354th day of 2008. There are 12 days left in the year.

1686 _ Robinson Crusoe leaves his island after 28 years (as per Defoe)

1732 _ Benjamin Franklin (under the name Richard Saunders) begins publication of ``Poor Richard's Almanack"

1843 _ Charles Dickens publishes ``A Christmas Carol" in England

1910 _ Rayon first commercially produced, Marcus Hook, Pa.

1934 _ Japan agrees to fleet treaty of 1922 and 1930

1941 _ Hitler takes complete command of German Army

1950 _ Tibet's Dalai Lama flees Chinese invasion

1980 _ Iran requests $24 billion in U.S. guarantees to free hostages

1984 _ U.K. signs agreement with China to return Hong Kong to China in

1995 _ Queen Elizabeth asks Prince Charles and Diana to divorce