Today is Friday, November 20, the 324th day of 2009. There are 41 days left in the year.

On this date

In 1910, revolution broke out in Mexico, led by Francisco I. Madero.

In 1917, a British force including 324 tanks struck at the German lines at Cambrai, the first big battle to involve tanks. The British made no gains and lost 43,000 casualties.

In 1945, 22 out of 24 indicted Nazi officials went on trial (one in absentia) before an international war crimes tribunal in Nuremberg, Germany.

In 1947, then-Princess Elizabeth, married Prince Philip Mountbatten at Westminster Abbey.

In 1975, after nearly four decades of absolute rule, Spain's General Francisco Franco died, two weeks before his 83rd birthday.

In 1979, some 300 armed Shi'ite rebels seized the Great Mosque at Mecca, occupying it until December 4 when the Saudi Arabian army drove them out with many casualties.

Thought for Today

"Make haste slowly." — Caesar Augustus, Roman emperor (63 B.C.-A.D. 14).