Today in history

Today is Saturday, Sept. 29, the 272nd day of 2018 and the eighth day of autumn.

Today’s History: In 1789, the U.S. Department of War established a regular army, maintaining several hundred troops.

In 1916, The New York Times reported that John D. Rockefeller, the head of Standard Oil, was almost certainly a billionaire, the world’s first.

In 1966, the Chevrolet Camaro debuted for sale in U.S. dealerships.

In 1988, NASA launched STS-26, the 26th Space Shuttle mission and the first since the Challenger disaster of Jan. 28, 1986.

Today’s Fact: Miguel de Cervantes’ “Don Quixote” is widely considered to be the first modern novel. It was initially published in two volumes in 1605 and 1615.

Today’s Sports: In 1951, NBC broadcast a college football game between Duke University and the University of Pittsburgh. It was the first live sporting event to be televised nationwide.

Today’s Quote: “The best way to get most husbands to do something is to suggest that perhaps they’re too old to do it.” -- Ann Bancroft

Today’s Number: 777.68 -- points lost by the Dow Jones Industrial Average on this day in 2008, following the bankruptcies of the financial services companies Lehman Brothers and Washington Mutual. It was the largest singleday point drop in history.

Today’s Moon: Between full moon (Sept. 24) and last quarter moon (Oct. 2).