WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2009

Today is Wednesday, May 6, the 126th day of 2009. There are 239 days left in the year.

1527 _ Spanish and German Imperial troops sack Rome; ending the Renaissance

1733 _ First international boxing match: Bob Whittaker beats Tito di Carni

1851 _ Dr. John Gorrie patents a ``refrigeration machine"

1919 _ Paris Peace Conference disposes of German colonies; German East Africa is assigned to Britain & France, German Southwest Africa to South Africa

1941 _ Joseph Stalin became premier of Russia

1950 _ Liz Taylor's first marriage (Conrad Hilton Jr.)

1994 _ Chunnel linking England and France officially opens

1994 _ Nelson Mandela and his ANC, finally confirmed winners in South Africa

1997 _ Michael Jackson and Bee Gees inducted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

2012 _ Transit of Venus