HISTORY TODAY: September 20

1952

Scientists confirm that DNA holds hereditary data.

''Knowing the past, we can make wise 

choices for a brighter, and more positive future.''

480 BC		Themistocles and his Greek fleet win one of history's first decisive naval victories over Xerxes' Persian force off Salamis.
1378		The election of Robert of Geneva as anti-pope by discontented cardinals creates a great schism in the Catholic church.
1519		Ferdinand Magellan embarks from Spain on a voyage to circumnavigate the world.
1561		Queen Elizabeth of England signs a treaty at Hampton Court with French Huguenot leader Louis de Bourbon, the Prince of Conde. The English will occupy Le Havre in return for aiding Bourbon against the Catholics of France.
1565		Pedro Menendez of Spain wipes out the French at Fort Caroline, in Florida.
1604		After a two-year siege, the Spanish retake Ostend, the Netherlands, from the Dutch.
1784		Packet and Daily, the first daily publication in America, appears on the streets.
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.
1853		The Allies defeat the Russians at the Battle of Alma on the Crimean Peninsula.
1863		Union troops under George Thomas prevent the Union defeat at Chickamauga from becoming a rout, earning him the nickname "the Rock of Chickamauga."
1934		Bruno Hauptmann arrested for the kidnapping and murder of the Lindbergh baby.
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.
1977		Socialist Republic of Vietnam admitted to the United Nations.
1984		Suicide car bomber attacks US embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, killing 22.
1985		Australia introduces a capital gains tax.
1990		South Ossetia declares its independence from George in the former Soviet Union.
2000		British MI6 Secret intelligence Service building in London attacked by unidentified group using RPG-22 anti-tank missile.
2001		US Pres. George W. Bush, addressing a joint session of Congress, declares a "war on terror.".
2008		A truck loaded with explosives detonates by Marriott hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan, killing 45 and injuring 226.
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
1833		Petroleum V. Nasby (David Ross Locke), humorist whose work was enjoyed by Abraham Lincoln.
1842		Lord James Dewar, physician who invented the vacuum flask and cordite, the first smokeless powder.
1878		Upton Sinclair, author best known today for The Jungle.
1884		Maxwell Perkins, editor, the first to publish F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway and Thomas Wolfe.
1885		Ferdinand La Menthe (Jelly Roll Morton), jazz pianist, composer and singer, one of the first to orchestrate jazz music.
1891		Lamine Gueye, Senegalese political leader.
1917		Arnold "Red" Auerbach, second most wins basketball coach in history with 1,037 victories for the Boston Celtics.
1920		Jay Ward, creator and producer of animated TV cartoons (Rocky & His Friends, renamed The Bullwinkle Show; George of the Jungle).
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).
1941		Dale Chihuly, sculptor known for his unique creations in blown glass.
1967		Kristen Johnston, actress; won two Emmy Awards as Sally Solomon in 3rd Rock from the Sun TV series.

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