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Today is Thursday, September 19, the 263rd day of 2024. There are 103 days left in the year.
Today in history:
On September 19, 2022, Britain and the world said their final goodbyes to Queen Elizabeth II at a state funeral that drew presidents and kings, princes and prime ministers – and crowds thronging the streets of London.
Also on this date:
In 1796, President George Washington’s farewell address was published. In it, the first American president advised: “Uphold good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all.”
In 1881, the twentieth President of the United States, James A. Garfield, died two and a half months after being shot by Charles Guiteau; he was succeeded by Vice President Chester A. Arthur.
In 1955, President Juan Peron of Argentina was deposed after an army and navy uprising.
In 1957, the United States conducted its first underground nuclear test, code-named “Rainier,” in the Nevada desert.
In 1985, the Mexico City region was hit by a devastating earthquake that killed at least 9,500 people.
In 1988, Olympic diver Greg Louganis suffered a concussion after hitting his head on the diving board during the preliminary round of the 3-meter springboard diving competition at the Seoul Summer Games; Louganis would recover from the injury and win a gold medal in the event the following day.
In 1995, The New York Times and The Washington Post published Unabomber Ted Kaczynski’s manifesto (kah-ZIHN’-skee), which proved instrumental in identifying and arresting him.
In 2004, Hu Jintao (hoo jin-tow) became the undisputed leader of China with the departure of former President Jiang Zemin (jahng zuh-MEEN’) from his top military post.
In 2008, struggling to avoid financial catastrophe, the Bush administration drafted a radical bailout plan that called for a takeover of half a trillion dollars or more in worthless mortgages and other bad debt from faltering institutions. Relieved investors sent stocks soaring on Wall Street and around the world.
In 2011, Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees recorded his 602nd save, becoming baseball’s all-time leader in the category.
Today’s Birthdays:
- Actor Rosemary Harris is 97.
- Singer-songwriter Paul Williams is 84.
- Singer Bill Medley (The Righteous Brothers) is 84.
- Singer Sylvia Tyson (Ian and Sylvia) is 84.
- R&B singer Freda Payne is 82.
- Actor Jeremy Irons is 76.
- Model-actor Twiggy Lawson is 75.
- TV personality Joan Lunden is 74.
- Musician-producer Nile Rodgers is 72.
- Rock singer Lita Ford is 66.
- Musician Jarvis Cocker (Pulp) is 62.
- Country singer Trisha Yearwood is 60.
- Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., is 59.
- Newsreader Soledad O’Brien is 58.
- Actor Sanaa Lathan (suh-NAH’ LAY’-thun) is 53.
- “Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon is 50.
- Actor Columbus Short is 42.