SEPTEMBER 21ST

Today is Sunday, Sept. 21, the 265th day of 2008.
There are 101 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

• On Sept. 21, 1938, a hurricane struck parts of New York and New England, causing widespread damage and claiming some 700 lives.

On this date:

• In 1792, the French National Convention voted to abolish the monarchy.
• In 1897, the New York Sun ran its famous editorial that declared, "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus."
• In 1937, "The Hobbit," by J.R.R. Tolkien, was first published.
• In 1948, Milton Berle made his debut as permanent host of "The Texaco Star Theater" on NBC-TV.
• In 1957, Norway's King Haakon VII died in Oslo at age 85.
• In 1970, "NFL Monday Night Football" made its debut on ABC-TV as the Cleveland Browns defeated the visiting New York Jets, 31-21.
• In 1982, Amin Gemayel, brother of Lebanon's assassinated president-elect, Bashir Gemayel, was himself elected president.
• In 1982, National Football League players began a 57-day strike, their first regular-season walkout ever.
• In 1983, in a speech to the Chamber of Commerce of the United States, Interior Secretary James G. Watt jokingly described a special advisory panel as consisting of "a black ... a woman, two Jews and a cripple." (Although Watt later apologized, he eventually resigned.)
• In 1987, NFL players went on a 24-day strike, mainly over the issue of free agency.

Ten years ago:

• President Clinton's videotaped grand jury testimony was publicly broadcast; in it, Clinton tussled with prosecutors over "the truth of my relationship" with Monica Lewinsky.
• Olympic gold medal track star Florence Griffith Joyner was found dead at her home in Mission Viejo, Calif.; she was 38.
• Hurricane Georges roared through Puerto Rico and the northeast Caribbean.

Five years ago:

• Former Citigroup CEO John S. Reed was named temporary head of the New York Stock exchange.
• Paul Martin was elected by Canada's Liberal Party to succeed Jean Chretien as prime minister.
• NASA's aging Galileo spacecraft deliberately plunged into Jupiter's turbulent atmosphere, bringing a fiery conclusion to a 14-year exploration of the solar system's largest planet and its moons.

One year ago:

• One student was mortally wounded, another injured, at Delaware State University. (A suspected gunman has been indicted on a second-degree murder charge.)
• The Rev. Rex Humbard, whose televangelism ministry once spanned the globe, died in Atlantis, Fla., at age 88.
• Tony Award-winning actress Alice Ghostley died in Los Angeles at age 81.

Today's Birthdays:

• Actor Karl Slover ("The Wizard of Oz") is 90.
• Actor Larry Hagman is 77.
• Poet-songwriter Leonard Cohen is 74.
• Actor-comedian Henry Gibson is 73.
• Author-comedian Fannie Flagg is 64.
• Author Stephen King is 61.
• Producer Jerry Bruckheimer is 61.
• Musician Don Felder (The Eagles) is 61.
• Actor-comedian Bill Murray is 58.
• Rock musician Philthy Animal is 54.
• Movie producer-writer Ethan Coen is 51.
• Actor-comedian Dave Coulier is 49.
• Actor David James Elliott is 48.
• Actress Nancy Travis is 47.
• Actor Rob Morrow is 46.
• Actress Cheryl Hines is 43.
• Country singer Faith Hill is 41.
• Rock musician Tyler Stewart (Barenaked Ladies) is 41.
• Country singer Ronna Reeves is 40.
• Actress-talk show host Ricki Lake is 40.
• Rapper Dave (De La Soul) is 40.
• Actor James Lesure is 37.
• Actor Alfonso Ribeiro is 37.
• Actor Luke Wilson is 37.
• Actor Paulo Costanzo is 30.
• TV personality Nicole Richie is 27.
• Actress Maggie Grace is 25.
• Actor Joseph Mazzello is 25.
• Actors Nikolas and Lorenzo Brino ("7th Heaven") are 10.

Thought for Today:

"We believe at once in evil, we only believe in good upon reflection. Is this not sad?"
Madame Dorothee Deluzy, French actress (1747-1830).

"Let's all be careful out there!"