On This Day, Sept. 20: Hurricane Maria makes landfall in Puerto Rico

UPI Staff
·3 min read
On September 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico as a Category 4 storm, leaving the entire island without power and nearly 3,000 people dead. File Photo by Kris Grogan/U.S. Customs and Border Protection
On September 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico as a Category 4 storm, leaving the entire island without power and nearly 3,000 people dead. File Photo by Kris Grogan/U.S. Customs and Border Protection
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Sept. 20 (UPI) -- On this date in history:

In 1946, the first Cannes Film Festival opened on the French Riviera. An earlier attempt to begin the international movie showcase in 1939 was halted by the outbreak of World War II.

In 1963, President John F. Kennedy proposed a joint venture between the United States and Russia to reach the moon.

In 1966, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II launched the Cunard liner bearing her name, often shortened to QE-2. It eventually became the only ocean liner on the once-thriving trans-Atlantic route.

Capt. John Burton Hall, head master of the luxury cruise liner Queen Elizabeth 2, stands at the helm on the bridge. UPI File Photo
Capt. John Burton Hall, head master of the luxury cruise liner Queen Elizabeth 2, stands at the helm on the bridge. UPI File Photo
Active and non-active U.S. military personnel participate for the first time in San Diego's Gay Pride Parade on July 16, 2011. On September 20, 2011, the "don't ask, don't tell" ban on openly gay U.S. service members was officially repealed. File Photo by Earl S. Cryer/UPI
Active and non-active U.S. military personnel participate for the first time in San Diego's Gay Pride Parade on July 16, 2011. On September 20, 2011, the "don't ask, don't tell" ban on openly gay U.S. service members was officially repealed. File Photo by Earl S. Cryer/UPI

In 1973, Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in a "Battle of the Sexes" tennis match.

In 1984, Muslim militants bombed the U.S. Embassy annex in Beirut, Lebanon, killing 23 people. It was the third terrorist attack on U.S. installations in the city in 17 months.

On September 20, 1963, President John F. Kennedy proposed a joint venture between the United States and Russia to reach the moon. UPI File Photo
On September 20, 1963, President John F. Kennedy proposed a joint venture between the United States and Russia to reach the moon. UPI File Photo

In 2000, the six-year Whitewater investigation of U.S. President Bill Clinton and first lady Hillary Clinton ended without any indictments being issued. Independent counsel Robert Ray said there was insufficient evidence to establish criminal wrongdoing.

File Photo by Joel Rennich/UPI
File Photo by Joel Rennich/UPI
Billie Jean King arrives at the Toronto International Film Festival premiere of "Battle of the Sexes" at Ryerson Theatre in Toronto, Canada, on September 10. On September 20, 1973, the tennis icon defeated Bobby Riggs in a "Battle of the Sexes" tennis match. Photo by Christine Chew/UPI
Billie Jean King arrives at the Toronto International Film Festival premiere of "Battle of the Sexes" at Ryerson Theatre in Toronto, Canada, on September 10. On September 20, 1973, the tennis icon defeated Bobby Riggs in a "Battle of the Sexes" tennis match. Photo by Christine Chew/UPI

In 2011, the "don't ask, don't tell" ban on openly gay U.S. service members was officially repealed at 1 minute past midnight, ending a policy under which about 14,000 men and women were discharged. The controversial 1993 law had allowed gays to serve only if they kept their sexual orientation private.

In 2012, a Cleveland jury found 16 Amish men and women guilty of hate crimes for cutting their Amish rivals' beards and head hair.

(From L to R) Elle Fanning, Kirsten Dunst, Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, Sofia Coppola, Addison Riecke and Angousie Rice arrive on the red carpet before the screening of the film "The Beguiled" during the 70th annual Cannes International Film Festival in Cannes, France on May 24. On September 20, 1946, the first Cannes Film Festival opened on the French Riviera. File Photo by David Silpa/UPI

In 2017, Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico as a Category 4 storm. The storm left the entire island without power and nearly 3,000 people dead over the next several months.

In 2020, Schitt's Creek won a record number of Emmy Awards for a comedy in its final season, including seven awards at the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards show and two Creative Arts Emmys. The show also become the first television series to win all four of the main acting categories in a single year.

U.S. Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit assist U.S. citizens as they prepare to depart the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, on July 21, 2006. On September 20, 1984, Muslim militants bombed the U.S. Embassy annex in Beirut, killing 23 people. File Photo by Jeffrey A. Cosola/U.S. Marine Corps
U.S. Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit assist U.S. citizens as they prepare to depart the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, on July 21, 2006. On September 20, 1984, Muslim militants bombed the U.S. Embassy annex in Beirut, killing 23 people. File Photo by Jeffrey A. Cosola/U.S. Marine Corps

In 2021, Kansas City Royals slugger Salvador Perez belted his 46th home run of the 2021 season, breaking Baseball Hall of Fame member Johnny Bench's single-season record for homers by a catcher. Perez finished the season with 48 home runs.

File Photo by Kyle Rivas/UPI
File Photo by Kyle Rivas/UPI