DAY IN HISTORY

Friday, September 25, 2020

Today is the 269th day of 2020 and the fourth day of autumn.

TODAY’S HISTORY:

In 1513, Spanish explorer Vasco Nunez de Balboa became the first European to see the Pacific Ocean.

In 1789, Congress approved the 10 constitutional amendments collectively known as the Bill of Rights and sent them to the states for ratification.

In 1957, U.S. Army troops stood guard as black students were admitted to Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, for the first time.

In 2005, the Irish Republican Army officially disarmed.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS: William Faulkner (18971962), author; Walter “Red” Smith (1905-1982), sportswriter; Phil Rizzuto (1917-2007), baseball player; Barbara Walters (1929- ), TV journalist; Shel Silverstein (19301999), author; Michael Douglas (1944- ), actor; Mark Hamill (1951- ), actor; Christopher Reeve (1952-2004), actor; Heather Locklear (1961- ), actress; Scottie Pippen (1965- ), basketball player; Will Smith (1968- ), actor/ rapper; Catherine ZetaJones (1969- ), actress; T.I. (1980- ), rapper; Donald Glover (1983- ), actor.

TODAY’S FACT: Of the 163 nominations to the Supreme Court since 1789, 12 were rejected by the Senate.

TODAY’S SPORTS: In 1882, Providence and Worcester competed in Major League Baseball’s first doubleheader.

TODAY’S QUOTE:

“Adversity builds character, and character takes you places money can’t.” by Andrews Mcmeel Almanac

— T.I.

TODAY’S NUMBER:

$813 million — estimated total cost of the Mars Observer mission, launched on this day in 1992. The probe failed 11 months later, three days prior to its orbital insertion around Mars.

TODAY’S MOON: Between first quarter moon (Sept. 23) and full moon (Oct. 1).