TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2009

Today is Tuesday, November 17, the 321st day of 2009. There are 44 days left in the year.

1558 _ Elizabeth I ascends English throne upon death of Queen Mary

1796 _ Battle of Arcole-Napoleon I's French forces beat Austrians in Italy

1800 _ Congress held first session in Washington, D.C.

1866 _ The opera ``Mignon" is produced (Paris)

1869 _ Suez Canal opens (Egypt)

1913 _ Panama Canal opens

1959 _ De Beers firm of South Africa announces synthetic diamond

1973 _ President Nixon told AP ``... people have got to know whether or not their President is a crook. Well, I'm not a crook"

1977 _ Egyptian President Sadat formally accepts invitation to visit Israel

1993 _ U.S. Congress votes for NAFTA