This day in history

[September 28, 2010]  (AP)  Today is Tuesday, Sept. 28, the 271st day of 2010. There are 94 days left in the year.

Today's highlight in history:

On Sept. 28, 1920, eight members of the Chicago White Sox were indicted for allegedly throwing the 1919 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds in what became known as the "Black Sox" scandal. (Despite initial confessions by several of the players, all were acquitted at trial; still, all eight were banned from baseball for life.)

On this date:

In 1066, William the Conqueror invaded England to claim the English throne.

In 1542, Portuguese navigator Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo arrived at present-day San Diego.

In 1787, the Congress of the Confederation voted to send the just-completed Constitution of the United States to state legislatures for their approval.

In 1850, flogging was abolished as a form of punishment in the U.S. Navy.

In 1924, two U.S. Army planes landed in Seattle, having completed the first round-the-world flight in 175 days.

In 1939, during World War II, Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union signed a treaty calling for the partitioning of Poland, which the two countries had invaded.

In 1960, Ted Williams hit a home run in his last career at-bat as his team, the Boston Red Sox, defeated the Baltimore Orioles 5-4 at Fenway Park.

In 1970, Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser died at age 52. Author John Dos Passos died in Baltimore at age 74.

In 1974, first lady Betty Ford underwent a mastectomy at Bethesda Naval Medical Center in Maryland, following discovery of a cancerous lump in her breast.

In 1989, deposed Philippine President Ferdinand E. Marcos died in exile in Hawaii at age 72.

Ten years ago: Capping a 12-year battle, the government approved use of the abortion pill RU-486. Former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau died in Montreal at age 80. Ariel Sharon, leader of Israel's hard-line opposition, sparked new Israeli-Palestinian clashes by touring the Temple Mount. In Sydney, Australia, Venus Williams earned her second Olympic gold medal, teaming with sister Serena in the final of women's doubles to beat Miriam Oremans and Kristie Boogert of the Netherlands, 6-1, 6-1. Choreographer and dancer Peter Gennaro died at age 80.

Five years ago: House Majority Leader Tom DeLay was indicted by a Texas grand jury on a charge of conspiring to violate political fundraising laws. (DeLay has yet to stand trial.) A woman disguised as a man slipped into a line of Iraqi army recruits and detonated explosives strapped to her body, killing six recruits in the first known suicide attack by a woman in Iraq's insurgency. The U.S. Treasury unveiled the new $10 bill, featuring splashes of red, yellow and orange.

One year ago: Iran tested its longest-range missiles and warned they could reach any place that threatens the country, including Israel, parts of Europe and U.S. military bases in the Mideast. Former Panamanian president Guillermo Endara, 73, who led his country to democracy after the U.S. invasion that toppled Gen. Manuel Noriega, died in Panama City.

Today's birthdays: Actor William Windom is 87. Actress Brigitte Bardot is 76. Singer Ben E. King is 72. Actor Joel Higgins is 67. Singer Helen Shapiro is 64. Movie writer-director-actor John Sayles is 60. Actress Sylvia Kristel is 58. Rock musician George Lynch is 56. Zydeco singer-musician C.J. Chenier (sheh-NEER') is 53. Actor Steve Hytner is 51. Actress-comedian Janeane Garofalo is 46. Country singer Matt King is 44. Actress Mira Sorvino is 43. TV personality Moon Zappa is 43. Actress-model Carre Otis is 42. Actress Naomi Watts is 42. Country musician Chuck Crawford is 37. Country singer Mandy Barnett is 35. Rapper Young Jeezy is 33. World Golf Hall of Famer Se Ri Pak is 33. Actor Peter Cambor is 32. Writer-producer-director-actor Bam Margera is 31. Actress Hilary Duff is 23. Actress Skye McCole Bartusiak is 18. Actor Keir Gilchrist is 18.

Thought for today: "To fight oppression, and to work as best we can for a sane organization of society, we do not have to abandon the state of mind of freedom. If we do that we are letting the same thuggery in by the back door that we are fighting off in front of the house." -- John Dos Passos (1896-1970)

[Associated Press]

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