Today in History

Today in History

Today is Saturday, Sept. 17, the 261st day of 2016. There are 105 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On Sept. 17, 1978, after meeting at Camp David, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat signed a framework for a peace treaty.

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, more than 3,600 men were killed in the Civil War Battle of Antietam in Maryland.

In 1908, Lt. Thomas E. Selfridge of the U.S. Army Signal Corps became the first person to die in the crash of a powered aircraft, the Wright Flyer, at Fort Myer, Virginia, just outside Washington D.C.

In 1937, the likeness of President Abraham Lincoln's head was dedicated at Mount Rushmore.

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

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 1955, Tennessee Ernie Ford recorded "Sixteen Tons" by Merle Travis for Capitol Records in Hollywood.

In 1966, "Mission: Impossible" premiered on CBS.

In 1971, citing health reasons, Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black, 85, retired. (Black, who was succeeded by Lewis F. Powell Jr., died eight days after making his announcement.)

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

In 1986, the Senate confirmed the nomination of William H. Rehnquist to become the 16th chief justice of the United States.

In 1996, Former Vice President Spiro T. Agnew died in Berlin, Maryland, at age 77.

Ten years ago: Pope Benedict XVI said he was "deeply sorry" his recent remarks on Islam and violence had offended Muslims, but the unusual expression of papal regret drew a mixed reaction from Islamic leaders, some of whom said it wasn't enough. Five Duquesne basketball players were shot and wounded during an apparent act of random violence on the Pittsburgh campus. (Four people later pleaded guilty in connection with the shootings; the two who wielded guns received prison sentences.) Patricia Kennedy Lawford, the sister of President John F. Kennedy and ex-wife of actor Peter Lawford, died in New York City at age 82.

Five years ago: A demonstration calling itself Occupy Wall Street began in New York, prompting similar protests around the U.S. and the world. Charles H. Percy, 91, a Chicago businessman who became a U.S. senator and was once widely viewed as a top presidential contender, died in Washington.

One year ago: General Motors agreed to pay $900 million to fend off criminal prosecution over the deadly ignition-switch scandal, striking a deal that brought criticism down on the Justice Department for not bringing charges against individual employees; GM also announced it would spend $575 million to settle the majority of the civil lawsuits filed over the scandal. The Federal Reserve kept U.S interest rates at record lows in the face of threats from a weak global economy, persistently low inflation and unstable financial markets.

Today's Birthdays: Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, is 83. Retired Supreme Court Justice David H. Souter is 77. Singer LaMonte McLemore (The Fifth Dimension) is 81. Retired Marine Gen. Anthony Zinni is 73. Basketball Hall of Fame coach Phil Jackson is 71. Singer Fee Waybill is 66. Actress Cassandra Peterson ("Elvira, Mistress of the Dark") is 65. Comedian Rita Rudner is 63. Muppeteer Kevin Clash (former voice of Elmo on "Sesame Street") is 56. Director-actor Paul Feig is 54. Movie director Baz Luhrmann is 54. Singer BeBe Winans is 54. TV personality /businessman Robert Herjavec (TV: "Shark Tank") is 53. Actor Kyle Chandler is 51. Director-producer Bryan Singer is 51. Rapper Doug E. Fresh is 50. Actor Malik Yoba is 49. Rock singer Anastacia is 48. Rock musician Keith Flint (Prodigy) is 47. Actor Matthew Settle is 47. Rapper Vinnie (Naughty By Nature) is 46. Actor Felix Solis is 45. Rhythm-and-blues singer Marcus Sanders (Hi-Five) is 43. Actress-singer Nona Gaye is 42. Singer-actor Constantine Maroulis is 41. NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson is 41. Pop singer Maile Misajon (Eden's Crush) is 40. Country singer-songwriter Stephen Cochran is 37. Rock musician Chuck Comeau (Simple Plan) is 37. Actor Billy Miller is 37. Country singer Desi Wasdin (3 of Hearts) is 33. Rock musician Jon Walker is 31. Actress Danielle Brooks is 27. Actress-singer Denyse Tontz is 22.

Thought for Today: "Governments exist to protect the rights of minorities. The loved and the rich need no protection -- they have many friends and few enemies." -- Wendell Phillips, American abolitionist (1811-1884).