Today’s Date: Friday, September 20, 2024
Today marks the 264th day of the year, with only 102 days remaining.
Historical Events on this Day:
On September 20, 1973, Billie Jean King triumphed over Bobby Riggs in the famous “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match at the Houston Astrodome, winning in straight sets.
Other significant events on this date include:
- In 1519, Ferdinand Magellan and his crew embarked on a voyage from Spain in search of a western passage to the Spice Islands.
- In 1946, the inaugural Cannes Film Festival commenced in France, lasting for 16 days.
- In 1962, James Meredith, a Black student, faced resistance from Gov. Ross R. Barnett when trying to enroll at the University of Mississippi.
- In 1964, The Beatles concluded their first U.S. tour with a charity concert in New York.
- In 1967, the Queen Elizabeth 2 liner was christened by Queen Elizabeth II in Scotland.
- In 2011, the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in the U.S. military was repealed, allowing LGBTQ+ service members to serve openly.
- In 2017, Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, causing a widespread blackout.
- In 2019, Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania was shut down after 45 years of operation.
Notable Birthdays Today:
- Actor Sophia Loren turns 90 today.
- Author George R. R. Martin celebrates his 76th birthday.
- Actor Gary Cole is 68 years old.
- TV news correspondent Deborah Roberts turns 64 today.
- Actor Maggie Cheung celebrates her 60th birthday.
- Actor Kristen Johnston is 57 years old.
- Rock singers Gunnar and Matthew Nelson turn 57 today.
- Race car driver Juan Pablo Montoya is 49 years old.
- Actor Jon Bernthal celebrates his 48th birthday.
- Actor Aldis Hodge turns 38 today.
- Mixed martial artist Khabib Nurmagomedov is 36 years old.
- Singer-songwriter Phillip Phillips celebrates his 34th birthday.
