THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012

Today is Thursday, August 23, the 236th day of 2012. There are 130 days left in the year.

1617 ― First one-way streets established (London)

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

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

1939 ― USSR and Germany sign a nonaggression pact

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

1958 ― Marie Ashton completes playing piano a female record 133 hours

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

1972 ― Republican convention (Miami Beach, Fla.) renominates V.P. Agnew but not unanimous, as one vote went to NBC newsman David Brinkley

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

1979 ― Bolshoi Ballet dancer Alexander Godunov defects in NYC