Today is Wednesday, Dec. 9, the 343rd day of 2009. There are 22 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On Dec. 9, 1854, Alfred, Lord Tennyson's famous poem, "The Charge of the Light Brigade," was published in England.

On this date:

In 1608, English poet John Milton was born in London.

In 1892, "Widowers' Houses," Bernard Shaw's first play, opened at the Royalty Theater in London.

In 1909, actor Douglas Fairbanks Jr. was born in New York.

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

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

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 of the Supreme Soviet.

In 1984, the five-day-old hijacking of a Kuwaiti jetliner that claimed the lives of two Americans ended as Iranian security men seized control of the plane, which was parked at Tehran airport.

In 1987, the first Palestinian intefadeh, or uprising, began as riots broke out in Gaza and spread to the West Bank, triggering a strong Israeli response.

In 1992, Britain's Prince Charles and Princess Diana announced their separation. (The couple's divorce became final Aug. 28, 1996.)

Ten years ago: In Worcester, Mass., six firefighters who had died in a warehouse blaze were honored as fallen heroes by thousands of their brethren from around the world.

Five years ago: President George W. Bush ruled out raising taxes to finance a Social Security overhaul. Bush announced he was keeping the heads of the Transportation, Interior, Housing and Labor departments. Canada's Supreme Court ruled that gay marriage was constitutional.

One year ago: Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested after prosecutors said he was caught on wiretaps scheming to sell Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat for cash or a plum job for himself in the new administration. NBC announced that "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno would be moving to prime time.