TODAY HISTORY IN

Today is Thursday, Sept. 21, the 264th day of 2017. There are 101 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History:

On September 21, 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.”

On this date:

n In 1792, the French National Convention voted to abolish the monarchy.

n In 1937, “The Hobbit,” by J.R.R. Tolkien, was first published by George Allen & Unwin, Ltd. of London.

n In 1938, a hurricane struck parts of New York and New England, causing widespread damage and claiming some 700 lives.

n In 1948, Milton Berle made his debut as permanent host of “The Texaco Star Theater” on NBC-TV.

n In 1957, Norway’s King Haakon VII died in Oslo at age 85. The legal mystery-drama “Perry Mason,” starring Raymond Burr, premiered on CBS-TV.

n In 1964, Malta gained independence from Britain.

n In 1970, “NFL Monday Night Football” made its debut on ABC-TV as the Cleveland Browns defeated the visiting New York Jets, 31-21.

n In 1977, after weeks of controversy over past business and banking practices, President Jimmy Carter’s embattled budget director, Bert Lance, resigned.

n 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.)

n In 1989, Hurricane Hugo crashed into Charleston, S.C. (the storm was blamed for 56 deaths in the Caribbean and 29 in the United States). Twenty-one students in Alton, Texas, died when their school bus, hit by a softdrink delivery truck, careened into a water-filled pit.

n In 1996, John F. Kennedy Jr. married Carolyn Bessette in a secret ceremony on Cumberland Island, Ga. The board of all-male Virginia Military Institute voted to admit women.

Today’s Birthdays: Authorcomedian Fannie Flagg is 76. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer is 74. Musician Don Felder is 70. Author Stephen King is 70. Basketball Hall of Famer Artis Gilmore is 68. Actorcomedian Bill Murray is 67. Hall of Fame jockey Eddie Delahoussaye is 66. Movie producer-writer Ethan Coen is 60. Actor-comedian Dave Coulier is 58. Actor David James Elliott is 57. Actress Nancy Travis is 56. Actor Rob Morrow is 55. Retired MLB All-Star Cecil Fielder is 54. Actress Cheryl Hines is 52. Country singer Faith Hill is 50. Actress-talk show host Ricki Lake is 49. Rapper Dave (De La Soul) is 49. Actor Rob Benedict is 47. Actor Alfonso Ribeiro is 46. Actor Luke Wilson is 46. Actor Paulo Costanzo is 39. TV personality Nicole Richie is 36. Actress Maggie Grace is 34.

Thought for Today: “I found more joy in sorrow / Than you could find in joy.”—Sara Teasdale, American author and poet (1884-1933).