ON THIS DAY

1609:

English navigator Henry Hudson discovers Manhattan, looking for a passage to India on behalf of the Dutch West India Company.

French constitution is passed by National Assembly, making France a constitutional monarchy.

Britain, France, New Zealand and Australia declare war on Germany.

US Viking II spacecraft lands on Mars. Pope John Paul II becomes the 264th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church.

Commandos storm a school in the southern Russian town of Beslan and battle separatist rebels holding hundreds of hostages. More than 330 adults and children are killed.

Ferdinand Porsche, German designer of Volkswagen car (1875-1951); Mort Walker, US “Beetle Bailey” cartoonist (1923-2018); Redfoo, US singer, rapper and DJ (1975-).

1791: 1939: 1976: 1978: 2004: Birthdays: