ANDREWS MCMEEL ALMANAC

Today is the 264th day of 2024 and the 93rd day of summer.

TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1873, the New York Stock Exchange closed because of the Panic of 1873.

In 1881, Chester Arthur was sworn in as president, one day after the death of James Garfield.

In 1977, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam was admitted to the United Nations.

In 1984, a suicide bombing killed 23, including two Americans, at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon.

In 2001, President George W. Bush declared a "war on terror" before a joint session of Congress.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Upton Sinclair (1878-1968), author/social reformer; Leo Strauss (1899-1973), philosopher; Arnold Jacob "Red" Auerbach (1917-2006), basketball coach/executive; Anne Meara (1929-2015), actress/comedian; Sophia Loren (1934- ), actress; George R.R. Martin (1948- ), author; Guy Lafleur (1951-2022), hockey player; Gary Cole (1956- ), actor; Moon Bloodgood (1975- ), actress; Jon Bernthal (1976- ), actor; Aldis Hodge (1986- ), actor; Khabib Nurmagomedov (1988- ), mixed martial artist.

TODAY'S FACT: The first Cannes Film Festival, set in the resort city of Cannes on the French Riviera, began on this day in 1946.

TODAY'S SPORTS: In 2013, Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees hit the 24th grand slam of his career, breaking the major league record held by Lou Gehrig since 1938. Rodriguez retired in 2016 with 25 career grand slams.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "Truly it seemed that a great people had gone mad; but it is a fact well known to alienists that you cannot convince a madman of his own condition, and only make him madder by trying." -- Upton Sinclair, "Dragon's Teeth"

TODAY'S NUMBER: 9 -- NBA championship titles Red Auerbach won as head coach of the Boston Celtics, eight of which were consecutive (1959-1966).

TODAY'S MOON: Between full moon (Sept. 17) and last quarter moon (Sept. 24).

ANDREWS MCMEEL ALMANAC

Today is the 263rd day of 2024 and the 92nd day of summer.

TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1881, President James Garfield died from infected 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 BIRTHDAYS: William Golding (1911-1993), author; Roger Angell (1920-2022), author/journalist; James Lipton (1926-2020), actor/TV host; Adam West (1928-2017), actor; Cass Elliot (1941-1974), singer; Jeremy Irons (1948- ), actor; Twiggy (1949- ), model/actress; Trisha Yearwood (1964- ), singer-songwriter/TV personality; Jimmy Fallon (1974- ), comedian/TV personality; Alison Sweeney (1976- ), actress; Tegan and Sara Quin (1980- ), singer-songwriters; Stephon Gilmore (1990- ), football player.

TODAY'S FACT: The Limited 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, New York 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: "My yesterdays walk with me. They keep step, they are gray faces that peer over my shoulder." -- William Golding

TODAY'S NUMBER: 3 -- U.S. presidents in office in 1881. Rutherford B. Hayes relinquished the office to James Garfield in March, and Chester Arthur became president when Garfield died in September.

TODAY'S MOON: Between full moon (Sept. 17) and last quarter moon (Sept. 24).

ANDREWS MCMEEL ALMANAC

Today is the 262nd day of 2024 and the 91st day of summer.

TODAY'S HISTORY: In 1793, President George Washington laid the cornerstone for the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C.

In 1850, Congress passed the Fugitive Slave Act, which allowed slave owners to reclaim slaves who had escaped to free states.

In 1947, the National Security Act took effect, establishing the Central Intelligence Agency and making the Air Force an independent branch of the U.S. military.

In 2014, a majority of voters in Scotland chose to remain part of the United Kingdom.

TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS: Samuel Johnson (1709-1784), author/lexicographer; Greta Garbo (1905-1990), actress; Agnes de Mille (1905-1993), dancer/choreographer; Joe Kubert (1926-2012), writer/illustrator/educator; Scotty Bowman (1933- ), hockey coach; Fred Willard (1933-2020), actor/comedian; Frankie Avalon (1940- ), singer; Rick Pitino (1952- ), basketball coach; James Gandolfini (1961-2013), actor; Aisha Tyler (1970- ), actress; Lance Armstrong (1971- ), cyclist; Jada Pinkett Smith (1971- ), actress; Jason Sudeikis (1975- ), actor/comedian.

TODAY'S FACT: In 2009, the final episode of the soap opera "Guiding Light" aired, ending its 72-year broadcast run on radio and TV.

TODAY'S SPORTS: In 1999, Sammy Sosa became the first Major League Baseball player to hit 60 home runs in two seasons.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "The chains of habit are too weak to be felt until they are too strong to be broken." -- Samuel Johnson

TODAY'S NUMBER: $1 billion -- donation pledged "to United Nations causes" by media mogul Ted Turner on this day in 1997. Turner's United Nations Foundation donated its billionth dollar in 2006, $600 million of which came from Turner himself.

TODAY'S MOON: Between full moon (Sept. 17) and last quarter moon (Sept. 24).