Today in History

Published 11:34 pm Thursday, September 23, 2010

Today is Wednesday, Sept. 23, the 266th day of 2009. There are 99 days left in the year.

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT

On Sept. 23, 1952, Sen. Richard Nixon, R-Calif., facing calls to withdraw as Dwight D. Eisenhower’s running mate, went on television to defend himself against allegations of improper campaign fundraising. The address came to be known as the “Checkers” speech because of Nixon’s on-air reference to a dog given to his family as a gift.

ON THIS DATE

In 1780, British spy John Andre was captured along with papers revealing Benedict Arnold’s plot to surrender West Point to the British.

In 1957, nine black students who had entered Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas were forced to withdraw because of a white mob outside.

Associated Press