November 23rd, 2008

Today in History

2003:
Berkeley Breathed begins the comic strip Opus.

1996:
The Republic of Angola officially joins the World Trade Organization, as Angola.

1981:
Iran-Contra scandal: Ronald Reagan signs the top secret National Security Decision Directive 17 (NSDD-17), giving the Central Intelligence Agency the authority to recruit and support Contra rebels in Nicaragua.

1869:
In Dumbarton, Scotland, the clipper Cutty Sark is launched -- one of the last clippers ever to be built, and the only one still surviving to this day.

1644:
Areopagitica by John Milton is published.