Today's Highlight in History:
On December ninth, 1907, Christmas seals防痨邮票 went on sale for the first time, at the Wilmington, Delaware, post office; proceeds went to fight tuberculosis¹肺结核.

On this date:
In 1608, English poet John Milton was born in London.

In 1854, Alfred, Lord Tennyson's famous poem, "The Charge of the Light Brigade," was published in England.

In 1940, British troops opened their first major offensive in North Africa during World War Two.

In 1941, China declared war on对……宣战 Japan, Germany and Italy.

In 1942, the Aram Khachaturian ballet "Gayane," featuring the surging浪涌，冲击 "Saber Dance," was first performed by the Kirov Ballet.

In 1958, the anti-Communist John Birch Society was formed in Indianapolis.

In 1965, Nikolai V. Podgorny replaced Anastas I. Mikoyan as president of the Presidium主席团 of the Supreme² Soviet³.

In 1979, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, the religious broadcaster, died in New York City at age 84.

In 1992, Britain's Prince Charles and Princess Diana announced their separation. (The couple's divorce became final in 1996.)

In 1995, Congressman⁴ Kweisi Mfume (Democrat, Maryland) was chosen to become the new head of the NAACP.

Ten years ago: President Bush's national security adviser⁵, Brent Scowcroft, and Deputy Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger began a surprise visit to Beijing, six months after China's crackdown制裁，镇压 on pro-democracy demonstrators.

Five years ago: Representatives of the Irish Republican Army and the British government opened peace talks in Northern Ireland. President Clinton fired Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders after learning she'd told a conference that masturbation手淫 should be discussed in school as a part of human sexuality性欲，性征.

One year ago: Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee drew up起草 four articles of impeachment⁶ against President Clinton, all stemming from his sexual relationship with Monica Lewinsky and long campaign to cover it up.