U.S. Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin will chair a meeting of finance ministers from 34 Western Hemisphere nations in New Orleans today.

Abraham Lincoln's 1858 autographed manuscript foreseeing the abolition of slavery is among books and manuscripts to be auctioned at Christie's in New York today.

Nuclear disarmament activists are scheduled to hold rally today to urge President Clinton to approve a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty this year.

The 1996 Miss Universe pageant begins in Las Vegas today.

Pope John Paul II is scheduled to begin a three-day visit to Slovenia today.

The World Health organization will release its World Health Report 1996 today.

U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher will give what is being billed as a "major address' on "the advancement of U.S. strategic interests toward the People's Republic of China" in New York today.

On Saturday, May 18, the Preakness, second race in Horse racing's Triple Crown, will be run at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.

Sunday, May 19 is the rescheduled launch date for the space shuttle "Endeavour," which will leave Cape Canaveral, Florida on a 10-day mission.

On Monday, May 20, a hearing in the case of defense attorney F. Lee Bailey is scheduled. The hearing is to determine who owns a disputed $25 million in stock that belonged to a former drug-dealer client.

On Tuesday, May 21 the U.S. Federal Reserve's Open Market Committee is scheduled to meet to consider interest rates.

On Wednesday, May 22, 28-year-old Martin Bryant, accused of killing 35 people at a Tasmanian tourist site, will appear before a judge in Hobart, Australia. He is expected to appear via video link-up.

In 1792, the New York Stock Exchange was founded by brokers meeting under a tree located on what is now Wall Street.

In 1814, Norway's constitution was signed, providing for a limited monarchy.

In 1875, the first Kentucky Derby was run at Churchill Downs in Louisville. The winner was "Aristides."

In 1938, the radio quiz show "Information, Please!" made its debut on the N.B.C Blue Network.

In 1938, Congress passed the Vinson Naval Act, providing funds for a two-ocean navy.

In 1940, the Nazis occupied Brussels, Belgium, during World War II.

In 1946, 50 years ago, President Truman seized control of the nation's railroads, delaying a threatened strike by engineers and trainmen.

In 1948, the Soviet Union recognized the new state of Israel.

In 1954, the U.S Supreme Court issued its landmark Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka ruling which declared that racially segregated public schools were inherently unequal.

In 1973, the Senate opened its hearings into the Watergate scandal.

In 1980, rioting that claimed 18 lives erupted in Miami's Liberty City neighborhood after an all-white jury in Tampa acquitted four former Miami police officers of fatally beating black insurance executive Arthur McDuffie.

In 1987, 37 American sailors were killed when an Iraqi warplane attacked the U.S. Navy frigate "Stark" in the Persian Gulf. (Iraq and the United States characterized the attack as a mistake.)

Today is a Bank Holiday in Belgium and in New Caledonia.

Cuba observes Agrarian Reform Day today.

Nauru and Norway both observe Constitution Day today.