This day in history

[December 09, 2010]  (AP)  Today is Thursday, Dec. 9, the 343rd day of 2010. There are 22 days left in the year.

Today's highlight in history:

On Dec. 9, 1854, Alfred, Lord Tennyson's famous poem, "The Charge of the Light Brigade," was published in England.

On this date:

In 1608, English poet John Milton was born in London.

In 1892, "Widowers' Houses," Bernard Shaw's first play, opened at the Royalty Theater in London.

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

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

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

In 1960, the Domino's Pizza chain had its beginnings as brothers Tom and James Monaghan started operating a pizzeria in Ypsilanti, Mich.

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

In 1984, the five-day-old hijacking of a Kuwaiti jetliner that claimed the lives of two Americans ended as Iranian security men seized control of the plane, which was parked at Tehran airport.

In 1987, the first Palestinian intefadeh, or uprising, began as riots broke out in Gaza and spread to the West Bank, triggering a strong Israeli response.

In 1990, Solidarity founder Lech Walesa (lek vah-WEN'-sah) won Poland's presidential runoff by a landslide.

Ten years ago: The U.S. Supreme Court ordered a temporary halt in the Florida vote count on which Al Gore pinned his best hopes of winning the White House. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak announced he would resign and call a special election. Florida State quarterback Chris Weinke won the Heisman Trophy.

Five years ago: President George W. Bush, addressing a political fundraiser in Minnesota, said the United States would wage an unrelenting battle in Iraq to protect Americans at home. A congressional report said the federal government's medical response to Hurricane Katrina was bungled by a lack of supplies and poor communication.

One year ago: Five young American Muslims were arrested in Pakistan over possible links to terrorism. Iran claimed that a newly-built U.N. station to detect nuclear explosions was built near its border to give the West a post to spy on the country. Former Costa Rican President Rodrigo Carazo Odio, 82, died in San Juan. Actor Gene Barry, 90, died in Woodland Hills, Calif.

Today's birthdays: Actor Kirk Douglas is 94. Actor Dick Van Patten is 82. Actor-writer Buck Henry is 80. Actress Dame Judi Dench is 76. Actor Beau Bridges is 69. Jazz singer-musician Dan Hicks is 69. Football Hall-of-Famer Dick Butkus is 68. Author Joe McGinniss is 68. Actor Michael Nouri is 65. Former Sen. Thomas Daschle (D-S.D.) is 63. World Golf Hall of Famer Tom Kite is 61. Singer Joan Armatrading is 60. Actor Michael Dorn is 58. Actor John Malkovich is 57. Country singer Sylvia is 54. Singer Donny Osmond is 53. Rock musician Nick Seymour (Crowded House) is 52. Comedian Mario Cantone is 51. Actor David Anthony Higgins is 49. Actor Joe Lando is 49. Actress Felicity Huffman is 48. Crown Princess Masako of Japan is 47. Country musician Jerry Hughes (Yankee Grey) is 45. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) is 44. Rock singer-musician Thomas Flowers (Oleander) is 43. Rock musician Brian Bell (Weezer) is 42. Rock singer-musician Jakob Dylan (Wallflowers) is 41. Country musician Brian Hayes (Cole Deggs and the Lonesome) is 41. Actress Allison Smith is 41. Songwriter and former "American Idol" judge Kara DioGuardi (dee-oh-GWAHR'-dee) is 40. Country singer David Kersh is 40. Rock musician Tre Cool (Green Day) is 38. Rapper Canibus is 36. Rock musician Eric Zamora (Save Ferris) is 34. Rock singer Imogen Heap is 33. Actor Jesse Metcalfe is 32. Actor Simon Helberg is 30.

Thought for today: "In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule." -- Friedrich Nietzsche (NEE'-chuh), German philosopher (1844-1900)

[Associated Press]

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