Today in History.....September 18

On this day in …

1789, with the nation's finances in something of a mess, the government took out its first loan from from the Bank of New York and Bank of North America for $191, 608.81. It was repaid in under a year

1793, President Washington laid the cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol

1873, The Panic of 1873 began and became one of the worst financial crises in the nation's history. Lasting 5 years and closing banks and deflating the markets, it damaged people's faith in the future of the nation. The surprise collapse of Jay Cooke and Co., one of the country's most reputable brokerage houses, started the depression. With the situation growing dire, the secretary of the Treasury decided to infuse the economy with $26 million in paper money. Despite the government's efforts, the Panic did not subside, and the economy continued its slump through the end of the decade

1973, future President Jimmy Carter files a report with the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena, claiming he had seen a UFO in October 1969. During the presidential campaign of 1976, Carter promised that, if elected president, he would encourage the government release "every piece of information" about UFOs available. After winning the presidency, though, Carter backed away from this pledge, saying that the release of some information might have "defense implications" and pose a threat to national security

1975, newspaper heiress Patricia Hearst was captured by the FBI, 19 months after being kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army

1996, the O.J. Simpson civil trial opened in Santa Monica, Calif.

2001, week after the Sept. 11 attack, President Bush said he hoped to "rally the world" in the battle against terrorism and predicted that all "people who love freedom" would join
ALSO: Letters postmarked Trenton, N.J., that later tested positive for anthrax were sent to the New York Post and NBC anchorman Tom Brokaw