The actual CSS property is "text-align", with the default value in CSS(x) being "inherit". I believe that in the "pre-CSS" days, the default value for the (now deprecated) HTML align attribute was "left".

I suspect that the layout engine designers for IE6 took a few short cuts, and did not look at the DOCTYPE value (mind you - how many web designers put a proper dtd line as the first lie of their HTML, before the >head< tag?) and chose the default bahaviour accordingly?

I guess this is a problem us web developers will have to live with - the browser developers giving us fluff rather than complying with standards. I mean, HTML 4.01 and CSS 1 have been with us for a few years now.

I guess the only way we can handle things is where layout is important, specify things explicitly - don't rely on someone else assuming the correct default bahaviour.