On this date:
In 1642, astronomer Galileo Galilei died in Arcetri, Italy.
In 1815, US forces led by General Andrew Jackson defeated the British in the Battle of New Orleans -- the closing engagement of the War of 1812.
In 1894, fire caused serious damage at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.
In 1918, President Wilson outlined his 14 points for peace after World War One.
In 1918, Mississippi became the first state to ratify a proposed amendment to the US Constitution prohibiting the sale, manufacture or transportation of liquor.
In 1964, President Johnson declared a "War on Poverty."
In 1973, secret peace talks between the United States and North Vietnam resumed near Paris.
In 1976, Chinese premier Chou En-lai died in Beijing at age 78.
In 1982, American Telephone and Telegraph settled the Justice Department's antitrust lawsuit against it by agreeing to divest itself of the 22 Bell System companies.
In 1987, for the first time, the Dow Jones industrial average closed above 2000, ending the day at 2002.25.
Ten years ago: Military tribunals in Romania began trying the first captured members of the country's dreaded security forces, who stood accused of resisting the revolution that toppled Nicolae Ceausescu.
Five years ago: Russian forces in Chechnya pounded the capital of Grozny with rocket and mortar fire in an attempt to scatter Chechen fighters defending the presidential palace.
One year ago: By a unanimous vote, senators formally ratified the rules for President Clinton's impeachment trial. The top two executives of Salt Lake City's Olympic organizing committee resigned amid disclosures that civic boosters had given cash to members of the International Olympic Committee.
"Curses are like processions. They return to the place from which they came."
-- Giovanni Ruffini, Italian writer (1807-1881).