Today is the 263rd day of 2015 and the 92nd day of summer.
Advertisement
TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1873, the New York Stock Exchange closed because of a banking panic.
In 1881, Chester A. Arthur was sworn in as president, one day after the death of James Garfield.
In 1977, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam was admitted to the United Nations.
In 1984, a suicide bombing killed 20 Americans at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon.
In 2001, President George W. Bush declared a "war on terror" before a joint session of Congress.
TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Upton Sinclair (1878-1968), author/social reformer; Leo Strauss (1899-1973), philosopher; Jacob "Red" Auerbach (1917-2006), basketball coach; Anne Meara (1929-2015), actress/comedian; Sophia Loren (1934- ), actress; George R.R. Martin (1948- ), author; Guy Lafleur (1951- ), hockey player; Kristen Johnston (1967- ), actress; Moon Bloodgood (1975- ), actress; Brian Joubert (1984- ), figure skater.
TODAY'S FACT: The first Cannes Film Festival, set in the resort city of Cannes on the French Riviera, began on this day in 1946. The festival was originally intended to debut in September 1939, but was canceled after the outbreak of World War II.
TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1973, Billie Jean King won the "Battle of the Sexes" tennis match against Bobby Riggs in three straight sets.
TODAY'S QUOTE: "Now and then it occurs to one to reflect upon what slender threads of accident depend the most important circumstances of his life; to look back and shudder, realizing how close to the edge of nothingness his being has come." -- Upton Sinclair, "100%: The Story of a Patriot"
TODAY'S NUMBER: 9 -- NBA championship titles Red Auerbach won as head coach of the Boston Celtics, eight of which were consecutive (1959-1966).
TODAY'S MOON: Between new moon (Sept. 12) and first quarter moon (Sept. 21).