Today’s highlights

On Sept. 21, 2013, an attack by armed militants in the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya left 67 people dead and hundreds injured.

On this date

1792: The National Convention of France issued a proclamation announcing the abolition of the French monarchy.

1898: In response to a letter from 8-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon, the New York Sun newspaper wrote an editorial containing the famous line “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.”

1915: Cecil Chubb purchased Stonehenge for £6,600; the last private owner of the site, Chubb donated it to the British people three years later.

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

1939: Romanian Prime Minister Armand Calinescu was assassinated by members of the fascist Iron Guard movement.

1970: Monday Night Football made its debut on ABC, with the Cleveland Browns defeating the New York Jets 31-21.

1981: The Senate unanimously confirmed the nomination of Sandra Day O’Connor to become the first female justice on the Supreme Court.

Today’s birthdays

Producer Jerry Bruckheimer is 81. Musician Don Felder is 77. Author Stephen King is 77. Basketball Hall of Famer Artis Gilmore is 75. Actor-comedian Bill Murray is 74. Actor-comedian Dave Coulier is 65. Country singer Faith Hill is 57. Actor-talk show host Ricki Lake is 56. Actor Luke Wilson is 53. Musician Liam Gallagher is 52. Rapper Wale (WAH’-lay) is 40.