This day in history

[September 17, 2009]  (AP)  Today is Thursday, Sept. 17, the 260th day of 2009. There are 105 days left in the year.

Today's highlight in history:

On Sept. 17, 1939, the Soviet Union invaded Poland during World War II, more than two weeks after Nazi Germany had launched its assault.

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, in the bloodiest battle day in U.S. history, Union forces fought Confederate invaders in the Civil War Battle of Antietam at Sharpsburg, Md.

In 1909, the first trolley crossed New York City's recently opened Queensboro Bridge in a test run. (Regular service began Oct. 4; the trolley was shut down in 1957.)

In 1920, the American Professional Football Association - a precursor of the NFL - was formed in Canton, Ohio.

In 1944, during World War II, Allied paratroopers launched Operation Market Garden, landing behind German lines in the Netherlands. (After initial success, the Allies were beaten back by the Germans.)

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

In 1949, more than 120 people died when fire gutted the Canadian passenger steamship SS Noronic at a pier in Toronto.

In 1959, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev traveled by train from Washington to New York City, where he received a low-key welcome from New Yorkers.

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 1984, Progressive Conservative leader Brian Mulroney took office as Canada's 18th prime minister.

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

Five years ago: President Vladimir Putin said Russia was "seriously preparing" for pre-emptive strikes against terrorists, as Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev took responsibility for a school hostage-taking and other attacks that had claimed more than 430 lives. San Francisco's Barry Bonds hit the 700th home run of his career, joining Babe Ruth (714) and Hank Aaron (755) as the only players to reach the milestone.

One year ago: Defense Secretary Robert Gates met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and offered the people of Afghanistan his "personal regrets" for U.S. airstrikes that had killed civilians and said he would try to improve the accuracy of air warfare. A suicide attack on the U.S. Embassy in San'a, Yemen killed 19 people, including an American woman and six militants.

Today's birthdays: Pro Football Hall of Famer George Blanda is 82. Actor David Huddleston is 79. Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, is 76. Retired Supreme Court Justice David H. Souter is 70. Singer LaMonte McLemore (The Fifth Dimension) is 70. Retired Marine Gen. Anthony Zinni is 66. Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson is 64. Singer Fee Waybill is 59. Actress Cassandra Peterson ("Elvira, Mistress of the Dark") is 58. Comedian Rita Rudner is 56. Muppeteer Kevin Clash is 49. Movie director Baz Luhrmann is 47. Singer BeBe Winans is 47. Actor Kyle Chandler is 44. Director-producer Bryan Singer ("X-Men') is 44. Rapper Doug E. Fresh is 43. Actor Malik Yoba is 42. Rock musician Keith Flint (Prodigy) is 40. Actor Matthew Settle is 40. Rapper Vinnie (Naughty By Nature) is 39. New Orleans Saints quarterback Mark Brunell is 39. Rock singer Anastacia is 36. R&B singer Marcus Sanders (Hi-Five) is 36. Actress-singer Nona Gaye is 35. Singer-actor Constantine Maroulis is 34. NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson is 34. Pop singer Maile Misajon (Eden's Crush) is 33. Country singer-songwriter Stephen Cochran is 30. Rock musician Chuck Comeau (Simple Plan) is 30. Country singer Desi Wasdin (3 of Hearts) is 26. Rock musician Jon Walker is 24.

Thought for today: "One of these days is none of these days." -- Anonymous

[Associated Press]

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