This day in history

[September 21, 2009]  (AP)  Today is Monday, Sept. 21, the 264th day of 2009. There are 101 days left in the year.

Today's highlight in history:

On Sept. 21, 1897, responding to a letter from 8-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon, the New York Sun ran its famous editorial by Francis P. Church that declared, "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy."

On this date:

In 1792, the French National Convention voted to abolish the monarchy.

In 1909, Ghanian statesman Kwame Nkrumah was born in Nkroful in the British-ruled Gold Coast.

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 widespread damage and claiming some 700 lives.

In 1948, Milton Berle made his debut as permanent host of "The Texaco Star Theater" on NBC.

In 1959, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, continuing his U.S. visit, reaffirmed his country's desire for friendship with the United States in a speech during a dinner at San Francisco's Palace Hotel.

In 1970, "Monday Night Football" made its debut on ABC as the Browns defeated the New York Jets 31-21 in Cleveland.

In 1982, Amin Gemayel, brother of Lebanon's assassinated president-elect, Bashir Gemayel, was himself elected president. NFL players began a 57-day strike, their first regular-season walkout ever.

In 1987, NFL players called a strike, mainly over the issue of free agency. (The 24-day walkout prompted football owners to hire replacement players.)

In 1989, Hurricane Hugo, packing sustained winds up to 135 mph, crashed into Charleston, S.C. Twenty-one students in Alton, Texas, died when their school bus, involved in a collision with a soft-drink delivery truck, careened into a water-filled pit.

Ten years ago: The House Banking Committee opened an inquiry into allegations of a huge money-laundering scheme involving the Russian mob and the Bank of New York. A powerful earthquake struck Taiwan, killing at least 2,400 people.

Five years ago: President George W. Bush, defending his decision to invade Iraq, urged the U.N. General Assembly to stand united with the country's struggling government. Yusuf Islam, formerly known as singer Cat Stevens, was taken off a London-to-Washington United Airlines flight because his name had shown up on a government "no-fly" list. The death toll in Haiti from deluges caused by Tropical Storm Jeanne topped 700.

One year ago: South African President Thabo Mbeki announced his resignation. "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. The United States took back the Ryder Cup with a 16 1/2-11 1/2 victory over Europe. Baseball said farewell to the original Yankee Stadium as New York defeated Baltimore 7-3.

Today's birthdays: Actor Karl Slover ("The Wizard of Oz") is 91. Actor Larry Hagman is 78. Poet-songwriter Leonard Cohen is 75. Author-comedian Fannie Flagg is 65. Author Stephen King is 62. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer is 62. Musician Don Felder is 62. Retired NBA All-Star Artis Gilmore is 60. Actor-comedian Bill Murray is 59. Hall of Fame jockey Eddie Delahoussaye is 58. Rock musician Philthy Animal is 55. Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is 52. Movie producer-writer Ethan Coen is 52. Actor-comedian Dave Coulier is 50. Actor David James Elliott is 49. Actress Serena Scott-Thomas is 48. Actress Nancy Travis is 48. Actor Rob Morrow is 47. Retired baseball All-Star Cecil Fielder is 46. Actress Cheryl Hines is 44. Country singer Faith Hill is 42. Rock musician Tyler Stewart (Barenaked Ladies) is 42. Country singer Ronna Reeves is 41. Actress-talk show host Ricki Lake is 41. Rapper Dave (De La Soul) is 41. Actor James Lesure is 38. Actor Alfonso Ribeiro is 38. Actor Luke Wilson is 38. Actor Paulo Costanzo is 31. TV personality Nicole Richie is 28. Actress Maggie Grace is 26. Actor Joseph Mazzello is 26. Actors Lorenzo and Nikolas Brino ("7th Heaven") are 11.

Thought for today: "I found more joy in sorrow/Than you could find in joy." -- Sara Teasdale, American author and poet (1884-1933)

[Associated Press]

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