Today is Sunday, Sept. 21, the 265th day of 2008. There are 101 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History

On Sept. 21, 1938, a hurricane struck parts of New York and New England, causing widespread damage and claiming some 700 lives.

On this date

In 1792, the French National Convention voted to abolish the monarchy.

In 1897, the New York Sun ran its famous editorial that declared, “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.”

In 1937, “The Hobbit,” by J.R.R. Tolkien, was first published.

In 1948, Milton Berle made his debut as permanent host of “The Texaco Star Theater” on NBC-TV.

In 1957, Norway’s King Haakon VII died in Oslo at age 85.

Today’s Birthdays

Actor Karl Slover (“The Wizard of Oz”) is 90. Actor Larry Hagman is 77. Poet-songwriter Leonard Cohen is 74. Actor-comedian Henry Gibson is 73. Author-comedian Fannie Flagg is 64. Author Stephen King is 61. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer is 61. Musician Don Felder (The Eagles) is 61. Actor-comedian Bill Murray is 58. Rock musician Philthy Animal is 54. Movie producer-writer Ethan Coen is 51. Actor-comedian Dave Coulier is 49. Actor David James Elliott is 48. Actress Nancy Travis is 47. Actor Rob Morrow is 46. Actress Cheryl Hines is 43. Country singer Faith Hill is 41. Rock musician Tyler Stewart (Bare- naked Ladies) is 41. Country singer Ronna Reeves is 40. Actress-talk show host Ricki Lake is 40. Rapper Dave (De La Soul) is 40. Actor James Lesure is 37. Actor Alfonso Ribeiro is 37. Actor Luke Wilson is 37. Actor Paulo Costanzo is 30. TV personality Nicole Richie is 27. Actress Maggie Grace is 25. Actor Joseph Mazzello is 25. Actors Nikolas and Lorenzo Brino (“7th Heaven”) are 10.

Thought for Today

“We believe at once in evil, we only believe in good upon reflection. Is this not sad?” — Madame Dorothee Deluzy,

French actress (1747-1830)