Today is Thursday, Sept. 21, the 264th day of 2023. There are 101 days left in the year.

Today in history

On Sept. 21, 1981, the Senate unanimously confirmed the nomination of Sandra Day O’Connor to become the first female justice on the Supreme Court.

Also on this date:

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

In 1937, “The Hobbit,” by J.R.R. Tolkien, was first published by George Allen & Unwin, Ltd. of London.

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

In 1957, the legal mystery-drama “Perry Mason,” starring Raymond Burr, premiered on CBS.

In 1961, the first Boeing CH-47 Chinook military helicopter made its first hovering flight.

In 1973, the Senate confirmed Henry Kissinger to be Secretary of State.

In 1982, National Football League players began a 57-day strike, their first regular-season walkout ever.

Local history

In 1959, the Nez Perce County Fair Board met with architects for a new pavilion and other interested citizens to plan for the construction of the building in the Lewiston Orchards. Planned for a 25-acre site, the structure featured laminated arches and a floor space of 30,800 square feet. Organizers projected the building would be also used for home shows, automobile and boat shows and other major community events — all of which have happened annually.

Fun fact

A blue whale’s heartbeat can be detected from a distance of two miles away

Trending words

“Pontificate:” verb; (pahn-TIF-uh-kayt). Definition: To speak or express an opinion about something in a pompous or dogmatic way.

— Merriam-Webster

Today’s birthdays

Author-comedian Fannie Flagg is 82. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer is 80. Former Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear is 79. Musician Don Felder is 76. Author Stephen King is 76. Basketball Hall of Famer Artis Gilmore is 74. Actor-comedian Bill Murray is 73. Movie producer-writer Ethan Coen is 66. Actor-comedian Dave Coulier is 64. Actor David James Elliott is 63. Actor Serena Scott Thomas is 62. Actor Nancy Travis is 62. Actor Rob Morrow is 61. Actor Angus Macfadyen is 60. Actor Cheryl Hines is 58. Country singer Faith Hill is 56. Rock musician Tyler Stewart (Barenaked Ladies) is 56. Actor-talk show host Ricki Lake is 55. Actor Billy Porter is 54. Actor Rob Benedict is 53. Actor Alfonso Ribeiro is 52. Actor Luke Wilson is 52. Actor Paulo Costanzo is 45. Actor Bradford Anderson is 44. Actor Autumn Reeser is 43. TV personality Nicole Richie is 42. Actor Maggie Grace is 40. Actor Joseph Mazzello is 40. R&B singer Jason Derulo is 37. Actor Ryan Guzman is 36. Actor Nikolas Brino is 25.

The Edge is compiled by Dallas Marshall. She can be contacted at dmarshall@lmtribune.com.