This Day in History

History Today - Oct. 22

In 1910, American physician Hawley Harvey Crippen was found guilty in the murder of his wife Cora. In 1791, André-Jacques Garnerin became the first parachutist in histo

History Today - Oct. 21

In 1966, a landslide of coal waste crashed into the Welsh village of Aberfan. In 2021, cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed and director Joel Souza was wounded whe

History Today - Oct. 20

In 1977, the plane carrying the band Lynyrd Skynyrd crashed in Mississippi, killing six including lead singer Ronnie Van Zant. In 2011, Libyan dictator Muammar al-Qadda

History Today - Oct. 19

In 1864, twenty Confederate soldiers raided the village of St. Albans, Vermont, robbing three banks in the process. In 1781, surrendered his 8,000 British soldiers at Y

History Today - Oct. 18

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History Today - Oct. 17

In 1777, British General John Burgoyne surrendered 5000 British and Hessian troops in a turning point in the Revolutionary War. In 1974, Gerald Ford addressed congress

History Today - Oct. 16

In 1968, US track stars Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised black-gloved fists in the air in protest of mistreatment of African American people in the US. In 1859, aboli

History Today - Oct. 15

In 1917, Mata Hari was executed by firing squad after being convicted for espionage. In 1928, the Graf Zeppelin completed its first trans-Atlantic flight when it landed

History Today - Oct. 14

In 1066, the Battle of Hastings was fought between King Harold and the William the Duke of Normandy. In 1962, the Cuban Missile Crisis began after an American spy plane

History Today - Oct. 13

In 1972, a plane carrying an Uruguayan rugby team crashed in the Andes. 14 managed to survive for two months. In 1917, tens of thousands witnessed the 'Miracle of the S

History Today - Oct. 12

In 1492, Christopher Columbus and his crew spotted land in the 'New World.' In 2000, the USS Cole was attacked while in port in Yemen by Al-Qaeda suicide bombers. In 1

History Today - Oct. 11

In 2005, the final floodwater from Hurricane Katrina was pumped out of New Orleans. In 1991, former Clarence Thomas staffer Anita Hill testified in front of congress du

History Today - Oct. 10

In 1911, the Wuchang Uprising began leading to the end of 4000 years of dynastic rule in China. In 1780, 22,000 people died in Barbados, Martinique, Saint Lucia, and Sin

History Today - Oct. 9

In 2005, 13-year old Malala Yousafzai and two other girls were shot by a Taliban gunman. In 1936, the Hoover Dam opened, providing hydroelectric power to cities in Sout

History Today - Oct. 8

In 1871, the Great Chicago Fire started in the O'Leary barn with their cow Daisy blamed for starting it. In 1945, Raytheon filed for a patent for the microwave oven. I

History Today - Oct. 7

In 2023, the Hamas-Israel War began when Hamas militants launched an early morning attack. In 1985, the Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro was hijacked by four Palestini

History Today - Oct. 6

In 891, Formosus was elected Pope. In 1866, the Reno brothers and their gang pulled off a 'first of its kind' train robbery. In 1981, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat wa

History Today - Oct. 5

In 1813, William Henry Harrison defeated the combined forces of British and Native American forces in the 'Battle of the Thames.' In 1974, adventurer David Kunst finish

History Today - Oct. 4

In 1582, the Gregorian calendar went into effect. In 1957, the Soviet Union launched the satellite Sputnik. In 1927, Gutzon Borglum began carving the faces of four pres

History Today - Oct. 3

In 1995, the eight-month long OJ Simpson trial ended with his acquittal. In 1990, East and West Germany reunified. In 1863, Abraham Lincoln decreed the last Thursday of