Today is Monday, September 21, the 264th day of 2009. There are 101 days left in the year.
1348 _ Jews in Zurich Switzerland are accused of poisoning wells
1792 _ First French Republic declared
1895 _ First auto manufacturer opens-Duryea Motor Wagon Company
1897 _ NY Sun runs famous ``Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus," editorial
1934 _ Typhoon strikes Honshu Island Japan, kills 4,000
1949 _ People's Republic of China proclaimed
1953 _ Allied forces form West Germany
1974 _ U.S. Mariner 10 makes 2nd fly-by of Mercury
1981 _ Sandra Day O'Connor becomes first female Supreme Court Justice
1985 _ Michael Spinks becomes first light heavyweight to defeat the reigning heavyweight champion, he defeats Larry Holmes