September 17th

Today's Highlight in History:
On September 17th, 1920, the American Professional Football Association -- a precursor of the National Football League -- was formed in Canton, Ohio (the site where the Pro Football Hall of Fame was later built).

On this date:
In 1787, the Constitution of the United States was completed and signed by a majority of delegates attending the constitutional convention in Philadelphia.

In 1862, Union forces hurled back a Confederate invasion of Maryland in the Civil War Battle of Antietam.

In 1939, the Soviet Union invaded Poland, more than two weeks after Nazi Germany launched its assault.

In 1947, James V. Forrestal was sworn in as the first US Secretary of Defense as a new National Military Establishment unified America's armed forces.

In 1948, the United Nations mediator for Palestine, Count Folke Bernadotte, was assassinated in Jerusalem by Jewish extremists.

In 1972, "M*A*S*H" premiered on CBS TV.

In 1978, after meeting at Camp David, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat signed a framework for a peace treaty.

In 1980, former Nicaraguan president Anastasio Somoza (suh-MOH'-sah) was assassinated in Paraguay.

In 1988, opening ceremonies for the Summer Olympics took place in Seoul, South Korea.

In 1994, Heather Whitestone of Alabama was crowned "Miss America," the first deaf contestant to win the title.

Ten years ago: Defense Secretary Dick Cheney sacked Air Force chief of staff General Mike Dugan for openly discussing contingency plans to launch massive air strikes against Baghdad and target Iraqi President Saddam Hussein personally. Supreme Court nominee David H. Souter concluded three days of testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Five years ago: Hong Kong held its last legislative election before the 1997 takeover by China, with some of Beijing's fiercest critics the big winners.

One year ago: President Clinton lifted restrictions on trade, travel and banking imposed on North Korea a half-century earlier, rewarding it for agreeing to curb missile tests.

"Governments exist to protect the rights of minorities. The loved and the rich need no protection -- they have many friends and few enemies."

-- Wendell Phillips, American abolitionist (1811-1884).