On this date in

1780 Benedict Arnold gave the British plans to West Point.

1792 The French National Convention voted to abolish the monarchy.

1827 Joseph Smith Jr. claimed he received a record of gold plates from an angel, part of which he translated into The Book of Mormon.

1866 Writer H.G. Wells was born.

1897 The New York Sun published the "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" letter.

1904 Radio announcer Westbrook Van Voorhis was born.

1912 Animator Chuck Jones was born.

1937 "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien was published.

1938 A hurricane strikes Long Island, killing between 500 and 700 people.

1942 The B-59 Superfortress made its maiden flight.

1948 "The Texaco Star Theater" starring Milton Berle premiered on NBC television.

1957 "Perry Mason" premiered on CBS television.

1970 "NFL Monday Night Football" premiered on ABC television.

1998 Olympian Florence Griffith Joyner died in her sleep.

2002 The Hillside Strangler died in prison.