WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2009

Today is Wednesday, September 16, the 259th day of 2009. There are 106 days left in the year.

1662 _ Flamsteed sees solar eclipse, first known astronomical observation

1810 _ Hidalgo begins Mexican revolt against Spain (National Day)

1812 _ Fire of Moscow

1857 _ Typesetting machine patented

1908 _ General Motors founded by William C Durant

1968 _ Richard Nixon appears on ``Laugh-in"

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

1978 _ 25,000 die in 7.7 earthquake in Iran

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

1990 _ Iraq televises an eight- minute uncensored speech from George Bush