QUOTE UNQUOTE
"You certainly usually find something, if you look, but it is not always quite the something you were after."
J.R.R. TOLKIEN, Today’s highlight in history
On Sept. 21, 1937, “The Hobbit,” by J.R.R. Tolkien, was first published by George Allen & Unwin Ltd. of London.
On this date
In 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.” In 1938, a hurricane struck parts of New York and New England, causing widespread damage and claiming about 700 lives. In 1948, Milton Berle made his debut as permanent host of “The Texaco Star Theater” on NBC. In 1957, the legal mystery drama “Perry Mason,” starring Raymond Burr, premiered on CBS-TV.
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 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, 21 students in Alton, Texas, died when their school bus, hit by a soft-drink delivery truck, careened into a waterfilled pit. Ten years ago: One student was mortally wounded, another injured, at Delaware State University. (A suspected gunman was indicted for second-degree murder, but the case was dismissed by a judge because prosecutors withheld evidence.)
Five years ago: People lined up to buy Apple’s iPhone5 as it went on sale in the United States and several other countries.
One year ago: Outraged Republican and Democratic lawmakers grilled Heather Bresch, the CEO of pharmaceutical company Mylan, about the significant cost increase of its life-saving Epi Pens.