Today is Wednesday, May 6, the 126th day of 2009. There are 239 days left in the year.
1527 _ Spanish and German Imperial troops sack Rome; ending the Renaissance
1733 _ First international boxing match: Bob Whittaker beats Tito di Carni
1851 _ Dr. John Gorrie patents a ``refrigeration machine"
1919 _ Paris Peace Conference disposes of German colonies; German East Africa is assigned to Britain & France, German Southwest Africa to South Africa
1941 _ Joseph Stalin became premier of Russia
1950 _ Liz Taylor's first marriage (Conrad Hilton Jr.)
1994 _ Chunnel linking England and France officially opens
1994 _ Nelson Mandela and his ANC, finally confirmed winners in South Africa
1997 _ Michael Jackson and Bee Gees inducted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
2012 _ Transit of Venus