This day in history

[September 25, 2010]  (AP)  Today is Saturday, Sept. 25, the 268th day of 2010. There are 97 days left in the year.

Today's highlight in history:

On Sept. 25, 1789, the first United States Congress adopted 12 amendments to the Constitution and sent them to the states for ratification. (Ten of the amendments became the Bill of Rights.)

On this date:

In 1513, Spanish explorer Vasco Nunez de Balboa crossed the Isthmus of Panama and sighted the Pacific Ocean.

In 1690, one of the earliest American newspapers, Publick Occurrences, published its first -- and last -- edition in Boston.

In 1775, American Revolutionary War hero Ethan Allen was captured by the British as he led an attack on Montreal. (Allen was released by the British in 1778.)

In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson collapsed after a speech in Pueblo, Colo., during a national speaking tour in support of the Treaty of Versailles (vehr-SY').

In 1956, the first trans-Atlantic telephone cable went into service.

In 1957, nine black students who'd been forced to withdraw from Central High School in Little Rock, Ark., because of unruly white crowds were escorted to class by members of the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division.

In 1970, German-born American novelist Erich Maria Remarque, author of "All Quiet on the Western Front," died in Locarno, Switzerland at age 72.

In 1978, 144 people were killed when a Pacific Southwest Airlines Boeing 727 and a private plane collided over San Diego.

In 1979, the Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice musical "Evita," starring Patti LuPone as Eva Peron, opened on Broadway.

In 1981, Sandra Day O'Connor was sworn in as the first female justice on the Supreme Court.

Ten years ago: In Yugoslavia, opposition presidential candidate Vojislav Kostunica (VAW'-yee-slahv kohsh-TOO'-nee-tzuh) claimed victory in weekend elections over incumbent Slobodan Milosevic (sloh-BOH'-dahn mee-LOH'-shuh-vich). In Sydney, Australia, Cathy Freeman became the first Aborigine to win an individual Olympic gold medal, capturing the women's 400 meters. Michael Johnson of the United States became the first man to successfully defend a 400-meter title.

Five years ago: President George W. Bush wrapped up a three-day trip designed to convey hands-on leadership during the Gulf Coast hurricanes, promising to act on military leaders' request for a national search-and-rescue strategy. A U.S. military helicopter crashed in Afghanistan, killing all five American crew members. Actor Don Adams died in Los Angeles at age 82.

One year ago: President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, in Pittsburgh for a G-20 summit, accused Iran of constructing a secret underground uranium enrichment facility and of hiding its existence from international inspectors for years. Former Democratic Party chairman Paul G. Kirk Jr. stepped in as the temporary replacement in the Senate for his longtime friend, the late Edward Kennedy. Classical pianist Alicia de Larrocha, 86, died in Barcelona, Spain.

Today's birthdays: Broadcast journalist Barbara Walters is 81. Folk singer Ian Tyson is 77. Rhythm-and-blues singer Joe Russell is 71. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is 67. Actor Robert Walden is 67. Actor-producer Michael Douglas is 66. Model Cheryl Tiegs is 63. Actress Mimi Kennedy is 61. Actor-director Anson Williams is 61. Actor Mark Hamill is 59. Basketball Hall of Famer Bob McAdoo is 59. Polka bandleader Jimmy Sturr is 59. Actor Colin Friels is 58. Actor Michael Madsen is 52. Actress Heather Locklear is 49. Actress Aida Turturro is 48. Actor Tate Donovan is 47. TV personality Keely Shaye Smith is 47. Basketball Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen is 45. Actor Jason Flemyng is 44. Actor Will Smith is 42. Actor Hal Sparks is 41. Actress Catherine Zeta-Jones is 41. Rock musician Mike Luce (Drowning Pool) is 39. Actress Bridgette Wilson-Sampras is 37. Actress Clea DuVall is 33. Actor Chris Owen is 30. Rapper T. I. is 30. Actor Van Hansis is 29. Actor Lee Norris is 29. Singer Diana Ortiz (Dream) is 25. Actress Emmy Clarke ("Monk") is 19.

Thought for today: "The richer your friends, the more they will cost you." -- Elisabeth Marbury, American writer (1856-1933)

[Associated Press]

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