Today is Friday, June 9, the 160th day of 2006. There are 205 days left in the year.ON THIS DATE<$>

In 1870, author Charles Dickens died in Godshill, England.

In 1940, Norway surrendered to the Nazis during World War II.

In 1980, comedian Richard Pryor suffered almost fatal burns at his San Fernando Valley, California home when a mixture of “free-base” cocaine exploded.

In 1985, American educator Thomas Sutherland was kidnapped in Lebanon; he was released in November 1991 along with fellow hostage Terry Waite.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

“The public! the public! How many fools does it take to make up a public?” <\m> Nicolas Chamford, French writer (1740-1794).