WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2011

Today is Wednesday, March 23, the 82nd day of 2011. There are 283 days left in the year.

1743 ― George Frederick Handel's oratorio ``Messiah" premieres in London

1775 ― Patrick Henry proclaims ``Give me liberty or give me death"

1840 ― Draper takes first successful photo of the Moon (daguerreotype)

1857 ― Elisha Otis' first elevator installed (488 Broadway, NYC)

1858 ― Streetcar patented (Eleazer A. Gardner of Philadelphia)

1903 ― Wright brothers obtain airplane patent

1919 ― Benito Mussolini forms Fascist movement in Milan, Italy

1934 ― U.S. Congress accepts Philippines independence in 1945

1972 ― Evil Knievel breaks 93 bones after successfully clearing 35 cars

1994 ― Wayne Gretzky sets NHL record with 802 goals scored