SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2009

Today is Saturday, February 21, the 52nd day of 2009. There are 313 days left in the year.

1431 _ England begins trial against Joan of Arc

1804 _ First locomotive, Richard Trevithick's, runs for first time, in Wales

1874 _ Benjamin Disraeli replaces William Gladstone as English premier

1911 _ Gustav Mahler conducts his last concerto (Berceuse Elegique)

1916 _ Battle of Verdun (WWI) begins (1 million casualties)

1922 _ Great Britain grants Egypt independence

1925 _ First issue of ``New Yorker" magazine published

1947 _ First instant developing camera demonstrated in NYC by E. .H Land

1972 _ Richard Nixon becomes first U.S. President to visit China

1977 _ 74 Unification Church couples wed in New York City