Today is Friday, Sept. 19, the 263rd day of 2008. There are 103 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History:

On Sept. 19, 1796, President Washington’s farewell address was published. In it, the nation’s first chief executive wrote, “Observe good faith and justice towards all Nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all.”

Ten years ago: Susan Barrantes, mother of Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, was killed in a car crash in Argentina; she was 61. Miss Virginia Nicole Johnson, a 24-year-old diabetic who wore an insulin pump on her hip, was crowned Miss America 1999.

Five years ago: Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein’s defense minister, Sultan Hashim Ahmad, surrendered to U.S. forces.

One year ago: The Senate blocked legislation that would have regulated the amount of time troops spent in combat, a blow for Democrats struggling to challenge President Bush’s Iraq policies. A powerful bomb killed anti-Syria lawmaker Antoine Ghanem and six others in Beirut, Lebanon. O.J. Simpson was released from jail after posting $125,000 bail in connection with the alleged armed robbery of sports memorabilia collectors at a Las Vegas hotel.