DAILY ALMANAC
Today is Sunday, Sept. 19, the 262nd day of 2021. There are 103 days left in the year. On this date in:
1777: The first Battle of Saratoga was fought during the Revolutionary War; although British forces succeeded in driving out the American troops, the Americans prevailed in a second battle the following month.
1796: President George Washington’s farewell address was published. In it, America’s first chief executive advised, “Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all.”
1881: The 20th president of the United States, James A. Garfield, died 21⁄2 months after being shot by Charles Guiteau; Chester Alan Arthur became president.
1945: Nazi radio propagandist William Joyce, known as “Lord Haw-haw,” was convicted of treason and sentenced to death by a British court.
1957: The United States conducted its first contained underground nuclear test, code-named “Rainier,” in the Nevada desert.
1984: Britain and China completed a draft agreement on transferring Hong Kong from British to Chinese rule by 1997.
1985: The Mexico City area was struck by a devastating earthquake that killed at least 9,500 people.
1986: Federal health officials announced that the experimental drug AZT would be made available to thousands of AIDS patients.
1995: The New York Times and The Washington Post published the manifesto of Unabomber Ted Kaczynski (kah-zihn’-skee), which proved instrumental in identifying and capturing him.
1996: IBM announced it would extend health benefits to the partners of its gay employees.
2001: The Pentagon ordered dozens of advanced aircraft to the Persian Gulf region as the hour of military retaliation for deadly terrorist attacks on Sept. 11 drew closer.
2004: Hu Jintao (hoo jin-tow) became the undisputed leader of China with the departure of former President Jiang Zemin (jahng ZUH-MEEN’) from his top military post.
2008: Struggling to stave off financial catastrophe, the Bush administration laid out a radical bailout plan calling for a takeover of a half-trillion dollars or more in worthless mortgages and other bad debt held by tottering institutions. Relieved investors sent stocks soaring on Wall Street and around the globe.
Actor Rosemary Harris is 94. Actor David Mccallum (“The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” and “NCIS”) is 88. Singer Bill Medley of the Righteous Brothers is 81. Singer Sylvia Tyson of Ian and Sylvia is 81. Singer-songwriter Paul Williams is 81. Singer Freda Payne is 79. Singer David Bromberg is 76. Actor Randolph Mantooth (“Emergency”) is 76. Guitarist Lol Creme of 10cc is 74. Actor Jeremy Irons is 73. Actor-model Twiggy Lawson is 72. TV personality Joan Lunden is 71. Actor Scott Colomby (“Jack Frost,” “Porky’s” films) is 69. Guitarist-producer Nile Rodgers of Chic is 69. Singer-actor Rex Smith is 66. Musician Lita Ford is 63. Comedian-talk show host Jimmy Fallon is 47.