September 22nd

Today's Highlight in History:
On September 22nd, 1776, Nathan Hale was hanged as a spy by the British during the Revolutionary War.

On this date:
In 1789, Congress authorized the office of Postmaster-General.

In 1792, the French Republic was proclaimed.

In 1862, President Lincoln issued the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, declaring all slaves in rebel states should be free as of January first, 1863. (click here to view photo of the original document)

In 1949, the Soviet Union exploded its first atomic bomb.

In 1950, Omar N. Bradley was promoted to the rank of five-star general, joining an elite group that included Dwight D. Eisenhower, Douglas MacArthur, George C. Marshall and Henry H. "Hap" Arnold.

In 1958, Sherman Adams, assistant to President Eisenhower, resigned amid charges of improperly using his influence to help an industrialist.

In 1964, the musical "Fiddler on the Roof" opened on Broadway, beginning a run of 3,242 performances.

In 1975, Sara Jane Moore attempted to shoot President Ford outside a San Francisco hotel, but missed.

In 1980, the Persian Gulf conflict between Iran and Iraq erupted into full-scale war.

In 1989, songwriter Irving Berlin died in New York City at age 101.

Ten years ago: Saudi Arabia expelled most of the Yemeni and Jordanian envoys in Riyadh, accusing them of unspecified "activities jeopardizing the peace and security of the kingdom."

Five years ago: An AWACS plane carrying US and Canadian military personnel crashed on takeoff from Elmendorf Air Force Base near Anchorage, Alaska, killing all 24 people aboard. Both sides rested in the O.J. Simpson murder trial. Time Warner struck a $7.5 billion deal to buy Turner Broadcasting System Incorporated. Publishing tycoon Steve Forbes announced a latecomer bid for the Republican presidential nomination.

One year ago: The Justice Department sued the tobacco industry for billions of dollars. Actor George C. Scott died at his Southern California home at age 71. Shania Twain won best entertainer while the Dixie Chicks picked up three trophies, including best vocal group, at the Country Music Association Awards.

"The autumn always gets me badly, as it breaks into colours. I want to go south, where there is no autumn, where the cold doesn't crouch over one like a snow-leopard waiting to pounce."

-- D.H. Lawrence, English author (1885-1930).