The Edge

Today is Wednesday, Sept. 20, the 263rd day of 2023. There are 102 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On Sept. 20, 1973, in their so-called “battle of the sexes,” tennis star Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3, at the Houston Astrodome.

Also on this date:

In 1881, Chester A. Arthur was sworn in as the 21st president of the United States, succeeding the assassinated James A. Garfield.

In 1946, the first Cannes Film Festival, lasting 16 days, opened in France.

In 1962, James Meredith, a Black student, was blocked from enrolling at the University of Mississippi by Democratic Gov. Ross R. Barnett.

In 1964, The Beatles concluded their first full-fledged U.S. tour by performing in a charity concert at the Paramount Theater in New York.

In 1967, the Cunard liner RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 was christened by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II in Clydebank, Scotland.

In 1973, singer-songwriter Jim Croce died in a plane crash near Natchitoches, La., at age 30.

In 1995, in a move that stunned Wall Street, AT&T Corporation announced it was splitting into three companies.

Fun fact

On a clear day, visitors to The Willis Tower’s skydeck, formerly known as the Sears Tower, can see into four states: Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan.

That’s punny

Did you hear about the passionless baker? Yeah, he doesn’t really care about his work, he just kneads the dough.

Trending words

“Shofar:” noun; (SHOH-far). Definition: The horn of an animal (usually a ram) blown as a trumpet by the ancient Hebrews in battle and during religious observances. It is used in modern Judaism, especially during Rosh Hashanah and at the end of Yom Kippur.

— Merriam-Webster

Today’s birthdays

Actor Sophia Loren is 89. Rock musician Chuck Panozzo is 75. Actor Tony Denison is 74. Actor Debbi Morgan is 72. Jazz musician Peter White is 69. Actor Betsy Brantley is 68. Actor Gary Cole is 67. TV news correspondent Deborah Roberts is 63. Country-rock musician Joseph Shreve (Flynnville Train) is 62. Rock musician Randy Bradbury (Pennywise) is 59. Actor Kristen Johnston is 56. Rock singers Gunnar and Matthew Nelson are 56. Rock musician Ben Shepherd is 55. Actor Enuka Okuma is 51. Actor-model Moon Bloodgood is 48. Actor Jon Bernthal is 47. Singer The-Dream is 46. Actor Charlie Weber is 45. Rock musician Rick Woolstenhulme (Lifehouse) is 44. Rapper Yung Joc is 43. Actor Crystle Stewart is 42. Actor Aldis Hodge is 37. Rock drummer Jack Lawless is 36. Actor Malachi Kirby is 34.

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