On this day...

1791- Virginia ratified the Bill of Rights, giving the amendments the necessary approval of 3/4 of the states and therefore making them law.

1878- Esperanto was born!

1891- Basketball was invented.

1939- Gone with the Wind premiers!

1970- Special "From the Headlines" Edition: The Illinois Constitution was adopted in a special election. (Yes, that's the same constitution that will allow a corrupt governor to appoint someone to the very same U.S. Senate seat he was trying to sell; not to mention remain Governor while under indictment...)

1978- President Jimmy Carter announces that the U.S. will officially recognize the People's Republic of China