Today in history

Today is Thursday, Sept. 19, the 262nd day of 2019 and the 91st day of summer.

Today’s history: In 1881, President James Garfield died from gunshot wounds sustained during an assassination attempt on July 2.

▪ In 1957, the United States conducted its first entirely underground nuclear test, in a mountain tunnel in Nevada.

▪ In 1995, The Washington Post published the Unabomber’s manifesto, in partnership with The New York Times.

▪ In 2002, President George W. Bush requested that Congress authorize him to “use all means” to disarm and depose Saddam Hussein in Iraq. Today’s fact: The Threshold Test Ban Treaty, signed in 1963, prohibited nuclear weapons testing in the atmosphere, in outer space and underwater, but permitted underground testing.

Today’s sports: In 2011, Yankees closer Mariano Rivera recorded his 602nd career save, breaking the major league record. He retired in 2013 with 652 career saves.

Today’s quote: “I don’t like the word ‘allegorical,’ I don’t like the word ‘symbolic’; the word I really like is ‘mythic,’ and people always think that means ‘full of lies,’ when what it really means is full of a truth that cannot be told in any other way but a story.” — William Golding

Today’s number: 3 — U.S. presidents in office in 1881. Rutherford B. Hayes relinquished the office to James Garfield in January, and Chester Arthur became president when Garfield died in September.

Today’s moon: Between full moon (Sept. 13) and last quarter moon (Sept. 21).