On this date:
In 1639, the first constitution of Connecticut -- the "Fundamental Orders" -- was adopted.

In 1742, English astronomer Edmond Halley, who observed the comet that now bears his name, died at age 85.

In 1784, the United States ratified a peace treaty with England ending the Revolutionary War.

In 1858, French emperor Napoleon the Third escaped an attempt on his life.

In 1943, President Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill opened a wartime conference in Casablanca.

In 1952, NBC's "Today" show premiered.

In 1953, Josip Broz Tito was elected president of Yugoslavia by the country's Parliament.

In 1963, George C. Wallace was sworn in as governor of Alabama with a pledge of "segregation forever."

In 1969, 25 crew members of the US aircraft carrier "Enterprise" were killed in an explosion that ripped through the ship off Hawaii.

In 1970, Diana Ross and the Supremes performed their last concert together, at the Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas.

Ten years ago: The Denver Broncos and the San Francisco 49ers earned a trip to the Super Bowl by winning the American and National Football Conference championships.

Five years ago: Russian troops in the breakaway republic of Chechnya captured the Council of Ministers building, a key rebel position in the capital Grozny. Pope John Paul the Second addressed a huge rally in Manila, urging young people to reject cynicism.

One year ago: Before a jury of 100 silent senators, House prosecutors demanded President Clinton's removal from office, charging he had "piled perjury upon perjury" and obstructed justice.

每日格言

"In much wisdom is much grief; and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow."

-- Ecclesiastes 1:18.