December ninth

Today's Highlight in History:
On December ninth, 1907, Christmas seals went on sale for the first time, at the Wilmington, Delaware, post office; proceeds went to fight tuberculosis.

On this date:
In 1608, English poet John Milton was born in London.

In 1854, Alfred, Lord Tennyson's famous poem, "The Charge of the Light Brigade," was published in England.

In 1940, British troops opened their first major offensive in North Africa during World War Two.

In 1941, China declared war on Japan, Germany and Italy.

In 1942, the Aram Khachaturian ballet "Gayane," featuring the surging "Saber Dance," was first performed by the Kirov Ballet.

In 1958, the anti-Communist John Birch Society was formed in Indianapolis.

In 1965, Nikolai V. Podgorny replaced Anastas I. Mikoyan as president of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet.

In 1979, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, the religious broadcaster, died in New York City at age 84.

In 1992, Britain's Prince Charles and Princess Diana announced their separation. (The couple's divorce became final in 1996.)

In 1995, Congressman Kweisi Mfume (Democrat, Maryland) was chosen to become the new head of the NAACP.

Ten years ago: President Bush's national security adviser, Brent Scowcroft, and Deputy Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger began a surprise visit to Beijing, six months after China's crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators.

Five years ago: Representatives of the Irish Republican Army and the British government opened peace talks in Northern Ireland. President Clinton fired Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders after learning she'd told a conference that masturbation should be discussed in school as a part of human sexuality.

One year ago: Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee drew up four articles of impeachment against President Clinton, all stemming from his sexual relationship with Monica Lewinsky and long campaign to cover it up.

"Hatred comes from the heart; contempt from the head; and neither feeling is quite within our control."

-- Arthur Schopenhauer, German philosopher (1788-1860).