TODAY IN HISTORY [20TH SEPTEMBER]

Lead Story

King triumphs in Battle of Sexes, 1973

American Revolution

Redcoats kill sleeping Americans in Paoli Massacre, 1777

Automotive

Mickey Thompson tries again to become the fastest driver in history, 1960

Civil War

Confederates score a victory at the Battle of Chickamauga, 1863

Cold War

Kennedy proposes joint mission to the moon, 1963

Crime

Marvin Gaye's father accepts a plea bargain, 1984

Disaster

Avalanche thunders into Russian village, 2002

General Interest

Magellan sets out, 1519

First European battle on American soil, 1565

First Cannes Film Festival, 1946

Hollywood

Actress and international sex symbol Sophia Loren born, 1934

Literary

Upton Sinclair is born, 1878

Music

The Bay City Rollers make their U.S. debut on Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell, 1975

Old West

The returning Lewis and Clark reach the first white settlement on the Missouri, 1806

Presidential

Chester Arthur becomes third president to serve in one year, 1881

Sports

King defeats Riggs in Battle of the Sexes II, 1973

Vietnam War

U.S. officials defend use of defoliants, 1968

U.S. planes mine waters in northern Quang Tri, 1972

World War I

U.S. officer George S. Patton writes home after Saint-Mihiel offensive, 1918

World War II

British launch Operation Source, 1943