On September 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria, the most devastating storm to strike Puerto Rico in over eight decades, tore through the island. With winds reaching 155 mph, the hurricane obliterated infrastructure, destroying nearly 75 percent of the power distribution lines, and plunging the island into an unprecedented blackout. The aftermath left millions without electricity, clean water, or basic necessities, marking one of the most tragic moments in Puerto Rican history. The storm’s long-term consequences underscored the vulnerability of the island’s infrastructure.
Also on this date:
– In 1519, the renowned Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan embarked on an ambitious voyage from Spain with five ships. His goal was to find a western route to the Spice Islands, an essential hub of trade and wealth in the early modern world. Although Magellan himself did not survive the journey—he was killed in the Philippines—his expedition achieved what many believed was impossible: the first successful circumnavigation of the globe. This feat reshaped European understanding of the world and remains a pivotal event in the history of exploration.
– On this day in 1946, the first Cannes Film Festival opened in France, marking the start of what would become one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world. Over the course of 16 days, filmmakers from across the globe showcased their work, cementing Cannes as a critical venue for cinematic achievement and cultural exchange.
– In 1962, James Meredith, a courageous Black student, faced violent opposition when attempting to enroll at the University of Mississippi. Mississippi Governor Ross R. Barnett, a staunch segregationist, blocked his entry, defying federal law. This act of resistance against the civil rights movement fueled national outrage and led to federal intervention. Meredith’s eventual enrollment marked a turning point in the fight for desegregation and equal rights in the U.S. educational system.
– The Beatles concluded their first major U.S. tour on September 20, 1964, with a charity concert at the Paramount Theater in New York. The performance capped a groundbreaking year for the band in America, where they not only dominated the charts but also changed the landscape of popular music and youth culture forever.
– In 1967, the Cunard liner Queen Elizabeth 2 was christened by Queen Elizabeth II in Clydebank, Scotland. The QE2, as it was famously known, went on to become one of the most iconic transatlantic liners of the 20th century, symbolizing British maritime power and luxury travel.
– On this day in 1973, in the historic “Battle of the Sexes,” tennis legend Billie Jean King triumphed over former men’s champion Bobby Riggs. King’s victory, in straight sets (6-4, 6-3, 6-3) at the Houston Astrodome, was more than just a tennis match—it became a landmark moment in the fight for gender equality, proving that women athletes could compete at the highest levels.
– On September 20, 2011, the U.S. military’s 18-year-old “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy officially ended, allowing gay and lesbian service members to serve openly for the first time in history. The repeal was a monumental step toward inclusivity and civil rights within the armed forces, reflecting broader societal changes in attitudes toward LGBTQ+ individuals.
– In 2019, after 45 years of electricity production, Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania—infamously known for the worst nuclear accident in U.S. history in 1979—was permanently shut down. Its closure brought an end to an era of anxiety over nuclear safety and raised questions about the future of nuclear power in America.
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