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Today in history

Associated Press

Today is the 264th day of 2018. There are 101 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History:

On Sept. 21, 1981, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Sandra Day O’Connor to become the first female justice on the Supreme Court.

On this date:

In 1893, one of America’s first horseless carriages was taken for a short test drive in Springfield, Mass., by Frank Duryea, who had designed the vehicle with his brother, Charles.

In 1937, “The Hobbit,” by J.R.R. Tolkien, was first published.

In 1938, a hurricane struck parts of New York and New England, causing damage and claiming 700 lives.

In 1970, “NFL Monday Night Football” made its debut on ABC-TV.

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 ended up resigning.

In 1987, NFL players called a strike, mainly over the issue of free agency.

In 1989, Hurricane Hugo crashed into Charleston, S.C. (the storm was blamed for 56 deaths in the Caribbean and 29 in the U.S).

In 1996, The board of all-male Virginia Military Institute voted to admit women.

In 2001, Congress opened the federal coffers to those harmed by terrorism, providing $15 billion to the airline industry, which was suffering economic losses since the Sept. 11 attacks.

Ten years ago: “Mad Men” became the first basic-cable show to win the top series Emmy; “30 Rock” and its stars Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin won comedy awards.

Five years ago: Days after mass shootings in Washington and Chicago, President Barack Obama urged the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation to help push stalled legislation out of Congress so dangerous people wouldn’t get their hands on guns. Islamic militants attacked an upscale shopping center in Nairobi, killing at least 67 people. An Afghan wearing a security forces uniform turned his weapon against U.S. troops, killing three.

Today’s Birthdays: Author-comedian Fannie Flagg is 77. Musician Don Felder is 71. Author Stephen King is 71. Actor-comedian Bill Murray is 68. Actor-comedian Dave Coulier is 59. Actor David James Elliott is 58. Actress Serena Scott-Thomas is 57. Actress Nancy Travis is 57. Actor Rob Morrow is 56. Actor Angus Macfadyen is 55. Actress Cheryl Hines is 53. Country singer Faith Hill is 51. Rock musician Tyler Stewart (Barenaked Ladies) is 51. Country singer Ronna Reeves is 50. Actress-talk show host Ricki Lake is 50. Actor Rob Benedict is 48. Actor James Lesure is 47. Actor Alfonso Ribeiro is 47. Actor Luke Wilson is 47.

Thought for Today: “All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.” — Arthur Schopenhauer, German philosopher (born 1788, died this date in 1860).

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