On this day...
1609-Venetian senate examines Galileo Galilei's telescope
1876-Thomas Edison patents mimeograph
1919 Treaty of Rawalpindi, British recognize Afghanistan's independence
1945-President Harry S. Truman signs UN Charter
1945-USSR declares war against Japan in WWII
1945-USSR establishes a communist government in North Korea
1949-Bhutan, land of the Dragon, became an independent monarchy
1953-U.S. and South Korea initial a mutual security pact
1955-Geneva conference held to discuss peaceful uses of atomic energy
1988-Renovated Central Park Zoo reopens after 4 years
1988-Russian troops begin pull out of Afghanistan after 9 year war
1989-U.S. space shuttle STS-28 launched
1991-Shite Muslims release British hostage John McCarthy