Today in history

Today (Wednesday, Sept. 14) is the 258th day of 2016 and the 87th day of summer.

TODAY’S HISTORY: In 1812, the Fire of Moscow broke out as Russian troops left the city and the French Grande Armee entered.

In 1814, Francis Scott Key wrote “Defence of Fort McHenry,” the poem that provided the lyrics for “The StarSpangled Banner.”

In 1901, President William McKinley died of wounds received on Sept. 6 from an assassin’s bullet, and Vice President Theodore Roosevelt was sworn in as his successor.

In 1994, Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig announced the cancellation of the remainder of the season after a 34-day player strike.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS: Clayton Moore (1914-1999), actor; Mario Benedetti (1920-2009), journalist/author; Zoe Caldwell (1933- ), actress; Walter Koenig (1936- ), actor/director/ producer; Larry Brown (1940- ), basketball coach; Sam Neill (1947), actor; Melissa Leo (1960- ), actress; Faith Ford (1964- ), actress; Andrew Lincoln (1973- ), actor; Nas (1973- ), rapper; Katie Lee (1981- ), chef/TV personality; Amy Winehouse (19832011), singer.

TODAY’S FACT: Elizabeth Ann Seton became the first American-born Catholic saint when she was canonized by Pope Paul VI on this day in 1975.

TODAY’S SPORTS: In 1987, the Toronto Blue Jays hit a major-league record 10 home runs in a single game.

TODAY’S QUOTE: “An intellectual’s weapon is writing, but sometimes people react as if it were a firearm. A writer can do a lot to change the situation, but as far as I know, no dictatorship has fallen because of a sonnet.” -- Mario Benedetti

TODAY’S NUMBER: 14 -- member states of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), including six in the Middle East, five in Africa, two in South America and one in southeast Asia. OPEC was founded on this day in 1960.

TODAY’S MOON: Between first quarter moon (Sept. 9) and full moon (Sept. 16).