Today in 1895, the Duryea Motor Wagon Company became the first auto manufacturer to open. The Duryea brothers built the first automobile in 1893 -- and since it didn't need a horse, it was also called a “horseless carriage.”
Today in 1937, “The Hobbit,” by J.R.R. Tolkien, was first published.
Today in 1970, ABC-TV debuted "Monday Night Football" with Howard Cosell, 'Dandy' Don Meredith and Keith Jackson. Frank Gifford joined the team in 1971.
Today in 1981,the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously confirmed the nomination of Judge Sandra Day O'Connor to the U.S. Supreme Court. She was sworn in on September 25th.
Today in 1990,"Goodfellas" starring Robert DeNiro, Ray Liotta, and Joe Pesci and directed by Martin Scorsese opened in theaters.
Today in 1993, "N.Y.P.D. Blue" debuted on ABC-TV. Almost a quarter of ABC's 225 affiliates refused to air the first episode, fearing the content was too explicit.
Today in 1997, in Los Angeles, Mike Piazza became the second player ever to hit a fair ball out of Dodger Stadium when he homered off Colorado's Frank Castillo in the third inning. Piazza's drive, an estimated 478-footer, hit the roof of the pavilion in left field before bouncing over, giving the Los Angeles Dodgers a 4-1 lead.
Today in 1998, President Clinton's videotaped grand jury testimony was publicly broadcast. In it, Clinton tussled with prosecutors over, quote, "the truth of my relationship" with Monica Lewinsky.
Today in 2001, "America: A Tribute to Heroes" was shown on 35 separate broadcast and cable networks simultaneously. The telethon raised $150-million in pledges to benefit families of the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001. The pledges were made from September 21 through September 24, 2001. All funds raised from “America: A Tribute to Heroes” were be donated to the relief effort, and those participating will be donating his or her time and resources. Among the stars of Music, film and television appearing on the program were: Bon Jovi, Amy Brenneman, Jim Carrey, George Clooney, Sheryl Crow, Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, Dixie Chicks, Robert De Niro, Clint Eastwood, Calista Flockhart, Dennis Franz, Kelsey Grammer, Tom Hanks, Faith Hill, Billy Joel, Alicia Keys, Willie Nelson, Conan O'Brien, Tom Petty, Ray Romano, Julia Roberts, Paul Simon, Will Smith, Bruce Springsteen, Sela Ward, Robin Williams, Stevie Wonder and Neil Young.
Today in 2003, the Galileo mission was terminated by sending the probe into Jupiter's atmosphere, where it was crushed by the pressure at the lower altitudes.
Today in 2016, three genetic studies published in "Nature" concluded that all non-Africans descended from one migration out of Africa 50-80,000 years ago.
Today in 2016, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan pledged $3-billion to medical research to "cure, prevent or manage all diseases by the end of the century."