THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2010

Today is Thursday, December 23, the 357th day of 2010. There are eight days left in the world.

1620 ― French Huguenots declare war on King Louis XIII

1776 ― Thomas Paine writes ``These are the times that try men's souls"

1867 ― First self-made millionairess (Sarah Breedlove-hair straightener)

1888 ― Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh cuts off his left ear

1912 ― Aswan Dam in Nile begins operation

1945 ― Frederick Astons ``Cinderella" premieres in London

1960 ― King Saud of Saudi-Arabia takes power

1968 ― 82 members of U.S. intelligence ship ``Pueblo” released by North Korea

1970 ― 7,511th performance of Agatha Christie's ``Mousetrap" (record)

1997 ― Woody Allen, 62 weds Soon-yi Previn, 27, adopted daughter of Mia Farrow