TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2011

Today is Tuesday, August 23, the 235th day of 2011. There are 130 days left in the year.

1833 ― Britain abolishes slavery in colonies; 700,000 slaves freed

1904 ― Automobile tire chain patented

1914 ― Japan declares war on Germany in World War I

1924 ― Mars’ closest approach to Earth since the 10th century

1939 ― USSR and Germany sign a non-aggression pact

1944 ― Romania liberated from Nazi occupation (National Day 1944-1990)

1960 ― World's largest frog (3.3 kg) caught (Equatorial Guinea)

1966 ― Lunar Orbiter 1 takes first photograph of Earth from Moon

1977 ― First man-powered flight of a mile (Bryan Allen in Gossamer Condor)

1979 ― Bolshoi Ballet dancer Alexander Godunov defects in NYC