This day in history

[September 09, 2011]  (AP)  Today is Friday, Sept. 9, the 252nd day of 2011. There are 113 days left in the year.

Today's highlight in history:

On Sept. 9, 1971, prisoners seized control of the maximum-security Attica Correctional Facility near Buffalo, N.Y., beginning a siege that ended up claiming 43 lives.

On this date:

In 1776, the second Continental Congress made the term "United States" official, replacing "United Colonies."

In 1830, Charles Durant flew a balloon from New York City across the Hudson River to Perth Amboy, N.J.

In 1850, California became the 31st state of the union.

In 1919, some 1,100 members of Boston's 1,500-man police force went on strike. (The strike was broken by Massachusetts Gov. Calvin Coolidge, who brought in replacement officers.)

In 1926, the National Broadcasting Co. (NBC) was incorporated by the Radio Corp. of America.

In 1948, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) was declared.

In 1957, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the first civil rights bill to pass Congress since Reconstruction.

In 1976, Communist Chinese leader Mao Zedong died in Beijing at age 82.

In 1986, Frank Reed, director of a private school in Lebanon, was taken hostage; he was released 44 months later.

In 1991, boxer Mike Tyson was indicted in Indianapolis on a charge of raping Desiree Washington, a beauty pageant contestant. (Tyson was convicted and ended up serving three years of a six-year prison sentence.) Tajikistan became the eighth Soviet republic to declare its independence.

Ten years ago: Afghanistan's military opposition leader Ahmed Shah Massood was killed in a suicide attack by assassins posing as journalists. Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants hit three home runs against the Colorado Rockies to give him 63 for the season, passing Roger Maris' once-magical mark and moving him closer to Mark McGwire's record. Lleyton Hewitt ran down Pete Sampras to earn his first Grand Slam title, 7-6 (4), 6-1, 6-1 at the U.S. Open.

Five years ago: After two frustrating weeks of delays, space shuttle Atlantis and its six astronauts blasted off on a 12-day mission to install a big new piece of the international space station. The Chinese movie "Still Life" won the top award at the Venice Film Festival. Third-seeded Maria Sharapova beat Justine Henin-Hardenne 6-4, 6-4 to win the U.S. Open. The Detroit Shock won their second WNBA championship in four years, beating the defending champion Sacramento Monarchs 80-75 in Game 5.

One year ago: A natural gas pipeline explosion killed eight people and destroyed dozens of homes in the San Francisco suburb of San Bruno, Calif. Iran said it would free Sarah Shourd, one of three American hikers held for more than 13 months on spying accusations, as an act of clemency to mark the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. (Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal were sentenced in August 2011 to eight years in prison.)

Today's birthdays: Actor Cliff Robertson is 88. Actress Sylvia Miles is 77. Actor Topol is 76. Rhythm-and-blues singer Luther Simmons is 69. Singer Inez Foxx is 69. Singer Dee Dee Sharp is 66. Rock singer-musician Doug Ingle is 65. Country singer Freddy Weller is 64. College Football Hall of Famer and former NFL player Joe Theismann is 62. Rock musician John McFee (The Doobie Brothers) is 61. Actor Tom Wopat is 60. Actress Angela Cartwright is 59. Musician-producer Dave Stewart is 59. Actor Hugh Grant is 51. Actress Constance Marie is 46. Actor David Bennent is 45. Actor Adam Sandler is 45. Rock singer Paul Durham (Black Lab) is 43. Model Rachel Hunter is 42. Actor Eric Stonestreet (TV: "Modern Family") is 40. Actor Goran Visnjic (VEEZ'-nihch) is 39. Pop-jazz singer Michael Buble' (boo-BLAY') is 36. Country singer Joey Martin (Joey + Rory) is 36. Latin singer Maria Rita is 34. Actress Michelle Williams is 31.

Thought for today: "A heretic is a man who sees with his own eyes. " -- Gotthold Lessing, German dramatist-critic (1729-1781)

[Associated Press]

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