Today is Tuesday, November 17, the 321st day of 2009. There are 44 days left in the year.
1558 _ Elizabeth I ascends English throne upon death of Queen Mary
1796 _ Battle of Arcole-Napoleon I's French forces beat Austrians in Italy
1800 _ Congress held first session in Washington, D.C.
1866 _ The opera ``Mignon" is produced (Paris)
1869 _ Suez Canal opens (Egypt)
1913 _ Panama Canal opens
1959 _ De Beers firm of South Africa announces synthetic diamond
1973 _ President Nixon told AP ``... people have got to know whether or not their President is a crook. Well, I'm not a crook"
1977 _ Egyptian President Sadat formally accepts invitation to visit Israel
1993 _ U.S. Congress votes for NAFTA