Sept. 22 (UPI) -- On this date in history:
In 1776, the British hanged American Revolutionary War hero and patriot Nathan Hale. His famous last words were, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."
In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing some 3 million slaves.
In 1888, National Geographic began publishing.
In 1927, Jack Dempsey muffed a chance to regain the heavyweight championship when he knocked down Gene Tunney but failed to go to a neutral corner promptly, thereby delaying the referee's count and giving the champ time to get up.
