September 8

Video Games

1997: Umax Computer announces that it has reached an agreement with Apple Computer for an extension on its license on the Mac OS 8 operating system. The license only covers Mac OS 8 until July 1998, and not on Common Hardware Reference Platform architecture machines.

1997: Intel introduces the Mobile Pentium MMX processor, at speeds of 200 and 233 MHz. The chip is manufactured using 0.25 micron process. Code-name during development was Tillamook.

1997: IBM halts plans to ship a NetPC computer.

1998: Franklin introduces the Rex Pro handheld computer. It features 512 kB RAM, LCD screen, six navigation buttons, docking station, case, nd can plug into a PC Card slot to transfer data. It weighs 1.4 ounces, fits in a wallet, and is priced at US$229.95. The unit was jointly developed by Citizen and Motorola.

1999: Square EA releases the Final Fantasy VIII video game for the PlayStation in the US.

2003: Apple Computer introduces two new iMac computers. They feature 1 or 1.25 GHz G4 processor,80 GB hard drive, and 15- to 20-inch LCD screens.

2003: Nintendo releases Game Boy Advance SP units in flame red and onyx in the US.

2003: Nintendo releases the Final Fantasy Tactics Advance video game for the Game Boy Advance in the US.

2005: Microsoft announces prices for its Xbox Live online service for the upcoming Xbox 360 system. Gold membership will cost US$50 per year ($8 for a month, or $20 for three months), and silver membership will be free to all Xbox 360 owners. Those paying for at least three months will also receive a free Xbox 360 headset and points to spend in the Xbox Live marketplace.

2007: Cuba issues a 65c postage stamp depicting a person at a computer.

2008: 2K Sports releases the NHL 2K9 video game for the Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation 3 in the USA.

2009: Codemasters releases the Dirt 2 video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA.

2009: South Peak releases the Trine video game for the PlayStation 2 in the USA.

Movies

1989: The TV show The Nutt House, produced by Mel Brooks for Disney, first airs on NBC.

1990: NBC begins airing the Disney TV series The Fanelli Boys.

1990: The ABC TV network debuts the animated series New Kids on the Block.

1991: The Fox TV network begins airing the Herman's Head series.

1995: The Buena Vista Television - Syndication TV series Disney's Sing Me A Story: With Belle premieres.

1995: The animated TV series The Lion King's Timon & Pumbaa premieres, part of The Disney Afternoon.

1997: Fox airs the first episode of YB show Ally McBeal, starring Calista Flockhart.

1998: The first episode of TV show Pokémon airs in the US.

2004: In the "Rathergate" affair, the first Internet posts appear pointing out that documents claimed by CBS News to be typewritten memos from the early 1970s appear instead to have been produced using modern word processing systems.

Music

Sports

1985: Alayson Gibbons sets 24 hour women swim record of 42.05 miles in 25-metre pool.

1985: Pete Rose ties Ty Cobb with 4,191 hits.

1988: Javier Sotomayer of Cuba high jumps world record 2.43m.

1990: Gabriella Sabitini beats Steffi Graff to win the US Open.

1991: Buffalo Bills' Jim Kelly passes for six touchdowns versus Pittsburgh Steelers (52-34).

1991: Stefan Edberg wins the US Open.

1998: Saint Louis Cardinals' first baseman Mark McGwire breaks Major League Baseball's single-season home-run record, formerly held by Roger Maris. McGwire hits number 62 at Busch Stadium in the fourth inning off of Chicago Cubs' pitcher Steve Trachsel.

2008: Roger Federer wins a fifth straight US Open mens tennis title, defeating Andy Murray 6-2, 7-5, 6-2, in one hour 51 minutes at Flushing Meadows.