GMT 9/20/2018

Today in History September 20


1806 Explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark pass the French village of La Charette, the first white settlement they have seen in more than two years.

1830 The National Negro Convention convenes in Philadelphia with the purpose of abolishing slavery.

1850 The slave trade is abolished in the District of Columbia.

1952 Scientists confirm that DNA holds hereditary data.

1971 Hurricane Irene becomes the first hurricane known to cross from the Atlantic to Pacific, where it is renamed Hurricane Olivia.

1973 In a pro tennis bout dubbed "The Battle of the Sexes," Billie Jean King beats Bobby Riggs at the Houston Astrodome in Texas.

2011 US military ends its "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and allows gay men and women to serve openly.


Born on September 20

1934 Sofia Loren (Sofia Scicolone), first actress to win the Academy Award for Best Actress for a performance in a non-English language film (Two Women); received Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievements (1995).


Joke of the Day

After Adam stayed out late a few nights, Eve became suspicious.
“You’re running around with another woman—admit it!” she demanded.
“What other woman?” Adam shot back. “You’re it!”
That night, Adam was fast asleep when he was awoken by Eve poking him in the chest.
“What are you doing?”
“Counting your ribs.”