TODAY IN HISTORY

On Sept. 19, 1957, the United States conducted its first contained underground nuclear test in the Nevada desert.

In 1985, the Mexico City area was struck by an earthquake that killed at least 9,500 people.

In 1986, federal health officials announced that the experimental drug AZT would be made available to thousands of AIDS patients.

In 1995, The New York Times and The Washington Post published the manifesto of Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, which proved instrumental in identifying him.

In 2004, Hu Jintao became the leader of China with the departure of former President Jiang Zemin from his top military post.

In 2008, the Bush administration laid out a bailout plan calling for a takeover of a half-trillion dollars in mortgages and debt held by tottering institutions.