By The Associated Press

Today in History

Today is Saturday, Sept. 19, the 263rd day of 2020. There are 103 days left in the year.

Todayís Highlight in History:

On Sept. 19, 1881, the 20th president of the United States, James A. Garfield, died 2 1/2 months after being shot by Charles Guiteau; Chester Alan Arthur became president.

On this date:

In 1783, Jacques Etienne Montgolfier (zhahk ayt-YEHNí mohn-gohl-fee-AYí) launched a duck, a sheep and a rooster aboard a hot-air balloon at Versailles (vehr-SYí) in France.

In 1796, President George Washingtonís farewell address was published. In it, Americaís first chief executive advised, ìObserve good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all.î

In 1934, Bruno Hauptmann was arrested in New York and charged with the kidnap-murder of 20-month-old Charles A. Lindbergh Jr.

In 1955, President Juan Peron of Argentina was ousted after a revolt by the army and navy.

In 1984, Britain and China completed a draft agreement on transferring Hong Kong from British to Chinese rule by 1997.

In 1985, the Mexico City area was struck by a devastating earthquake that killed at least 9,500 people.

In 1986, federal health officials announced that the experimental drug AZT would be made available to thousands of AIDS patients.

In 1995, The New York Times and The Washington Post published the manifesto of Unabomber Ted Kaczynski (kah-ZIHNí-skee), which proved instrumental in identifying and capturing him. In 1996, IBM announced it would extend health benefits to the partners of its gay employees.

In 2001, The Pentagon ordered dozens of advanced aircraft to the Persian Gulf region as the hour of military retaliation for deadly terrorist attacks on Sept. 11 drew closer.

In 2004, Hu Jintao (hoo jin-tow) became the undisputed leader of China with the departure of former President Jiang Zemin (jahng zuh-MEENí) from his top military post.

In 2008, struggling to stave off financial catastrophe, the Bush administration laid out a radical bailout plan calling for a takeover of a half-trillion dollars or more in worthless mortgages and other bad debt held by tottering institutions. Relieved investors sent stocks soaring on Wall Street and around the globe.

Ten years ago: The BP oil well at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico was declared ìeffectively deadî by retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen, the governmentís point man on the blowout disaster, after it was sealed with a permanent cement plug. On the final day of his four-day visit to Britain, Pope Benedict XVI celebrated Mass to beatify Cardinal John Henry Newman, the 19th century Anglican convert.

Five years ago: Pope Francis, arriving in Havana, hailed detente between Cuba and the United States as a model of reconciliation for the world as he launched a 10-day tour of the former Cold War foes. President Barack Obama paid tribute to Black women for their role in helping shape American democracy as he delivered the keynote address to the Congressional Black Caucus Foundationís annual awards dinner. Jackie Collins, 77, the bestselling author of dozens of novels including ìHollywood Wives,î died in Los Angeles.