Benedict Arnold, by Thomas Hart

Today in History

• American Revolution: Benedict Arnold gives the plans for West Point to the British (1780)
• French Revolution: The National Convention abolishes the absolute monarchy and declares France to be a republic (1792)
• The first lucha libre match is held (1933)
• The Hobbit is published (1937)
• The Boeing B-29 Superfortress flies for the first time (1942)
• The People’s Republic of China is founded (1949)
• The North American XB-70 Valkyrie makes its first flight (1964)

Birthdays

• Girolamo Savonarola, friar (1452)
• H. G. Wells, novelist (1866)
• Henry L. Stimson, US Secretary of War during World War II (1867)
• Gustav Holst, composer (1874)
• Max Immelmann, pilot (1890)
• Preston Tucker, car manufacturer (1903)
• Chuck Jones, animator (1912)
• Larry Hagman, actor (1931)
• Leonard Cohen, singer-songwriter (1934)
• Henry Gibson, comedian (1935)
• Diane Rehm, radio host (1936)
• Bill Kurtis, television journalist (1940)
• Jerry Bruckheimer, filmmaker (1943)
• Fannie Flagg, comedian (1944)
• Hamilton Jordon, Carter White House chief of staff (1944)
• Stephen King, horror writer (1947)
• Bill Murray, comedian and actor (1950)
• Ethan Coen, filmmaker (1957)
• Nancy Travis, actress (1961)
• Faith Hill, singer-songwriter (1967)
• Ricki Lake, talk show host (1968)
• Luke Wilson, actor (1971)
• Nicole Richie, socialite (1981)

Deaths

• Virgil, poet (19 BCE)
• Sir Walter Scott, novelist (1832)
• Arthur Schopenhauer, philosopher (1860)
• Walter Brennan, actor (1974)
• Jacqueline Susann, author (1974)
• Orlando Letelier, Chilean politician (1976)
• Florence Griffith Joyner, sprinter (1998)
• Alice Ghostley, actress (2007)
• Rex Humbard, televangelist (2007)

Holidays and Observances

• Arbor Day (Brazil)
• Spring Day (Argentina)
• Student’s Day (Bolivia)
• Customs Service Day (Poland)
• Founder’s Day/National Volunteer Day (Ghana)
• Independence Day (Armenia, Belize, Malta)
• International Day of Peace
• Victory Over the Golden Horde in the Battle of Kulikovo Day (Russia)
• Commemoration of the Declaration of Martial Law (Philippines)

September 21 is the 264th day of the year (265th in leap years). There are 101 days remaining until the end of the year.