Today In History...

Today In History...

   In 1787 The first of the "Federalist Papers," a series of essays calling

           for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution is published.

   In 1795 The Treaty of San Lorenzo, providing free navigation of Mississippi,

           is signed by the United States and Spain.

   In 1810 The U.S. annexes West Florida from Spain.

   In 1858 R.H. Macy & Co. opens its first store, on 6th Avenue, New York City.

   In 1880 Theodore Roosevelt marries Alice Lee, on his 22nd birthday.

   In 1904 The first rapid transit subway, the IRT, opens in New York City.

   In 1920 Clothing workers begin a 6-month strike costing $10 million.

   In 1922 The first annual celebration of Navy Day takes place.

   In 1938 DuPont announces a new synthetic fiber to be called "nylon."

   In 1941 The Chicago Daily Tribune carries an editorial dismissing the

           possibility of war with Japan, saying, "She cannot attack us. That

           is a military impossibility. Even our base in Hawaii is beyond the

           effective striking power of her fleet."

   In 1947 "You Bet Your Life," with Groucho Marx, premieres on ABC radio. (It

           later becomes a television show on NBC.)

   In 1954 Walt Disney's first TV show, "Disneyland," premieres on ABC.

   In 1954 Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio are divorced.

   In 1961 The Navy carrier "Constellation" is commissioned.

   In 1964 Art Arfon's "Green Monster" rocket car travels 536 mph.

   In 1967 "Expo 67" closes in Montreal, Canada.

   In 1978 Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar

           Sadat receive the Nobel Peace prize for their progress toward

           achieving a Middle East accord.

   In 1980 Dave Gryllis sets the world bicycle speed record at 94.37 kph.

   In 1981 Former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young is elected mayor of Atlanta, GA.

   In 1982 China announces it's population totals over 1 billion people, as

           counted by over 5 million census takers.

   In 1986 The New York Mets win the World Series, coming from behind to defeat

           the Boston Red Sox, 8-5, in game seven played at Shea Stadium.

   In 1987 South Korean voters approve a new constitution, establishing direct

           presidential elections and other democratic reforms.

   In 1988 The Soviet government unveils an $804 billion budget containing a

           deficit of $58 billion that officials blamed on past mistakes.

   In 1989 The third game of the World Series, delayed by the Northern

           California earthquake, is played at Candlestick Park. The Oakland

           A's defeated the San Francisco Giants, 13-7.

   In 1990 Author Elliott Roosevelt dies at age 80.

   In 1991 The Minnesota Twins win the World Series, beating the Atlanta

           Braves, 1-0, in seventh and deciding game.

   In 1992 Friends of Queen Elizabeth II stage an elaborate celebration for the

           40th anniversary of her ascension to the British throne.

   In 1993 Brush fires rage across Southern California, destroying several

           hundred homes.

   In 1994 In the first trip to Syria by an American president in 20 years,

           President Clinton meets with Syrian President Hafez Assad before

           speeding to Jerusalem to meet with Israeli officials.

   In 1995 A sniper kills one soldier and wounds 18 at Fort Bragg, NC.

           (Paratrooper William J. Kreutzer was later convicted in the

           shootings, and condemned to death.)

   In 1995 Thousands rally in Montreal for national unity three days before a

           referendum on whether Quebec should secede.

   In 1997 The stock market experiences a record 554-point drop, the worst

           since the 1987 crash.

   In 1998 President Clinton signs a law barring the cutoff of SSI benefits to

           an estimated 20,000 immigrants, mostly poor and elderly.

   In 1998 Hurricane Mitch cuts through the western Caribbean, pummeling

           coastal Honduras and Belize.

   In 2001 In Washington, the search for anthrax widened to thousands of

           businesses and 30 mail distribution centers.

   In 2002 Dallas Cowboy running back Emmitt Smith breaks the NFL career 

           rushing yardage record held by the late Walter Payton. 

   In 2002 The Anaheim Angels win the World Series, beating the San Francisco 

           Giants, 4-1, in game seven. 

   In 2003 Rod Roddy, announcer on "The Price is Right," dies at age 66. 

   In 2004 The Boston Red Sox win their first World Series since 1918, 

           sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 4, 3-0.