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