Today is Friday, December 18, the 352nd day of 2009. There are 13 days left in the year.

on this date

In 1792, Thomas Paine is tried in England in his absence for publishing "The Rights Of Man."

In 1916, the Battle of Verdun ended after 10 months, leaving 543,000 French and 434,000 German troops dead.

In 1927, Chiang Kai-Shek overthrows the Hankow government in China.

In 1940, Adolf Hitler signs a secret directive ordering preparations for a Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union. Operation Barbarossa is launched in June 1941.

In 1948, the Dutch renew offensive in Indonesia and capture the Sukarno government.

In 1956, Japan is admitted to United Nations.

In 1957, the Shippingport Atomic Power Station in Pennsylvania, the first civilian nuclear facility to generate electricity in the United States, goes into operation.

In 1958, the first communications satellite broadcast is made in the United States.

In 1969, The UK Parliament abolishes the death penalty for murder.

In 1972, the United States begins the heaviest bombing of North Vietnam. The Linebacker II bombardment ends 12 days later.

In 1996, Tupac Amaru guerrillas vow to start killing hostages in the Japanese ambassador's residence in Lima, Peru, but let their deadline for bloodshed pass. Four hostages, including the Canadian ambassador, are released to serve as negotiators.

In 1999, Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga is blinded in her right eye in one of two separatist Tamil Tiger rebel suicide bombings. The bombs kill 33 people and injure 137.

Thought For Today

"The only thing we have to fear on this planet is man" — Carl Jung, Swiss psychologist (1875-1961).