Today is Friday, September 21, the 265th day of 2011. There are 101 days left in the year.
1792 ― First French Republic declared
1895 ― First auto manufacturer opens; Duryea Motor Wagon Company
1897 ― NY Sun runs famous ``Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus," editorial
1931 ― Britain goes off the gold standard
1934 ― Typhoon strikes Honshu Island, Japan, kills 4,000
1949 ― People's Republic of China proclaimed
1953 ― Allied forces form West Germany
1981 ― Sandra Day O'Connor becomes first female Supreme Court Justice
1981 ― Steve Carlton strikes out NL record 3,118th (Andre Dawson)
1985 ― Michael Spinks becomes first light heavyweight to defeat the reigning heavyweight champion, he defeats Larry Holmes