Today in history
Today is Wednesday, September 20, the 263rd day of 2017 and the 93rd day of summer.
On this date in the SCV: In 1988, The Signal reported that the Santa Clarita City Council was scheduled to consider whether to hire a public relations company or to put somebody on the city payroll to answer questions and beat the civic drum. The cost of such an action was to be $75,000 lo $100,000. At the same time, the SCV and Canyon Country chambers of commerce were counting on the city to pay at least $32,000 to print a colorful brochure enticing businesses to locate here. The city council, after viewing color brochures from other cities, agreed to allocate that amount of money. 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 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 2013, Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees hit the 24th grand slam of his career, breaking the major league record held by Lou Gehrig since 1938. Rodriguez retired in 2016 with 25 career grand slams.
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. 19) and first quarter moon (Sept. 27).
Birthdays Upton Sinclair (1878-1968), author/ social reformer; Leo Strauss (18991973), 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; Gary Cole (1956- ), actor; Moon Bloodgood (1975- ), actress; Brian Joubert (1984- ), figure skater.