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Sunday, September 21, 2008

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!"