DAY IN HISTORY

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

Today is the 246th day of 2020 and the 75th day of summer.

TODAY’S HISTORY:

In 1666, the Great Fire of London began as a small fire in a bakeshop, ending three days later after destroying more than 13,000 buildings.

In 1789, Congress created the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

In 1901, Vice President Theodore Roosevelt made his “speak softly and carry a big stick” speech on American foreign policy.

In 1963, Alabama Gov. George Wallace stationed state troopers around Tuskegee High School to prevent integration.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS:

Romare Bearden (19111988), artist/author; Billy Preston (1946-2006), musician; Nathaniel “Tiny” Archibald (1948- ), basketball player; Terry Bradshaw (1948- ), sportscaster/football player; Christa Mcauliffe (1948-1986), teacher/astronaut; Mark Harmon (1951- ), actor; Jimmy Connors (1952- ), tennis player; Eric Dickerson (1960- ), football player; Keanu Reeves (1964- ), actor; Lennox Lewis (1965- ), boxer; Salma Hayek (1966- ), actress.

TODAY’S FACT: The first ATM in the United States was put into service at Chemical Bank in Rockville Center, New York, on this day in 1969.

TODAY’S SPORTS: In 1960, Wilma Rudolph ran the 100-meter dash in 11 seconds to claim the gold medal at the Summer Olympic Games in Rome. She was awarded the world record for her sprint, only to have it revoked because wind speeds were higher than allowed.

TODAY’S QUOTE: “If he wants the rematch, by Andrews Mcmeel Almanac

there’s no problem with that. I’ll bust up the other side of his face, too.” — Lennox Lewis, after his successful 2003 heavyweight boxing title defense against Vitali Klitschko

TODAY’S NUMBER: 18 — books authored by Theodore Roosevelt, including his autobiography, a biography of Oliver Cromwell and his bestselling personal memoir of the Spanish-american War, “The Rough Riders.”

TODAY’S MOON: Between full moon (Sept. 1) and last quarter moon (Sept. 10).