By The Associated Press

Sat Sep 30, 8:00 PM ET

Today is Sunday, Oct. 1, the 274th day of 2006. There are 91 days left in the year. The Jewish Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, begins at sunset.

Today's Highlight in History:

On Oct. 1, 1908, Henry Ford introduced the Model T automobile to the market.

On this date:

In 1800, Spain ceded Louisiana to France in a secret treaty.

In 1885, special delivery mail service began in the United States.

In 1896, the U.S. Post Office established Rural Free Delivery.

In 1936, Gen. Francisco Franco was proclaimed the head of an insurgent Spanish state.

In 1943, Allied forces entered Naples during World War II.

In 1949, Communist Party Chairman Mao Zedong proclaimed the People's Republic of China during a ceremony in Beijing.

In 1961, Roger Maris of the New York Yankees hit his 61st home run during a 162-game season, compared to Babe Ruth's 60 home runs during a 154-game season.

In 1964, the Free Speech Movement was launched at the University of California at Berkeley.

In 1971, Walt Disney World opened in Orlando, Fla.

In 1986, former President Jimmy Carter's presidential library and museum were dedicated in Atlanta with help from President Reagan.

Ten years ago: A federal grand jury indicted Unabomber suspect Theodore Kaczynski in the 1994 mail bomb slaying of advertising executive Thomas Mosser. (Kaczynski was later sentenced to four life terms plus 30 years.) The federal minimum wage rose 50 cents to $4.75 an hour. NASA began turning over day-to-day shuttle operations to private industry.

Five years ago: New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, in an impassioned speech to the United Nations, said there was no room for "neutrality" in the global fight against terrorism and no need for more studies or vague directives. The Supreme Court suspended former President Clinton from practicing before the high court. A Pakistan-based militant group attacked the state legislature in Indian-ruled Kashmir, killing 38 people.

One year ago: Three suicide bombers struck three restaurants in Bali, Indonesia, killing 20 victims. U.S. millionaire scientist Gregory Olsen and an American-Russian crew blasted off from Kazakhstan on a journey to the international space station.

Today's Birthdays: Actor James Whitmore is 85. Former President Jimmy Carter is 82. Pianist Roger Williams is 82. Actor Tom Bosley is 79. Actress-singer Julie Andrews is 71. Actress Stella Stevens is 70. Rock musician Jerry Martini (Sly and the Family Stone) is 63. Baseball Hall-of-Famer Rod Carew is 61. Jazz musician Dave Holland is 60. Actor Stephen Collins is 59. Actor Randy Quaid is 56. Actress Yvette Freeman is 49. Singer Howard Hewett is 49. Singer Youssou N'Dour is 47. Actor Esai Morales is 44. Actor Christopher Titus is 42. Actress-model Cindy Margolis is 41. Rock singer-musician Kevin Griffin (Better Than Ezra) is 38. Singer Keith Duffy is 32. Actress Jurnee Smollett is 20. Actress Brie Larson is 17.

Thought for Today: "The clearsighted do not rule the world, but they sustain and console it." — Agnes Repplier, American essayist (1858-1950).