SEPTEMBER 21, 1933 - Lucha Libre, the Mexican version of professional wrestling, was born when Salvador Gonzales sponsored the first event of its kind in Mexico City. The sport was an instantaneous success and Gonzales' promotion company continues to this day as one of the largest promoters of Lucha Libre in Mexico. Like the WWE, Lucha Libre matches are staged and feature a cast of characters with good guys and bad guys. But unlike its American counterpart, Lucha Libre wrestlers, called luchadors, usually wear colorful masks, and the wrestling features more high-flying action. Lucha Libre played a prominent role in the 2006 film Nacho Libre.  

SEPTEMBER 22, 1776 - Nathan Hale, a 21-year-old First Lieutenant in the Continental Army, was executed by the British Army on charges of espionage. In early September, 1776, the Continental Army was located on Manhattan Island and was anticipating an attack by British forces. General George Washington wanted to know the location of the planned invasion. He asked for volunteers to go behind enemy lines to survey the British troop movements. Nathan Hale was the only volunteer. On September 12 Hale was ferried across the river to begin his mission. There are various theories as to how Hale's identity was discovered, including one that suggests his own cousin turned him in. Hale was captured on September 21, interrogated by a British general and sentenced to death the following morning. Hale's fame came from his purported last words before being hanged: "I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country."