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1964
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1947
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more events on October 1
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2009
The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom takes over judicial functions of the House of Lords.
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1991
Siege of Dubrovnik begins in the Croatian War of Independence.
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1989
Denmark introduces the world’s first “civil union” law granting same-sex couples certain legal rights and responsibilities but stopping short of recognizing same-sex marriages.
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1982
First compact disc player, released by Sony.
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1979
US returns sovereignty of the Panama Canal to Panama.
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1975
Legendary boxing match: Muhammad Ali defeats Joe Frazier in the “Thrilla in Manila.”
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1974
Five Nixon aides–Kenneth Parkinson, Robert Mardian, Nixon’s Chief of Staff H.R. Haldeman, John Ehrlichman, and U.S. Attorney General John Mitchell–go on trial for conspiring to hinder the Watergate investigation.
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1971
First CT or CAT brain scan performed, at Atkinson Morley Hospital in Wimbledon, London.
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Walt Disney World opens near Orlando, Florida, the second of Disney’s “Magic Kingdoms.”
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1964
Max Matsuura (Masato Matsuura), record producer, president of Avex Group, one of Japan’s largest music labels.
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Japanese “bullet trains” (Shinkansen) begin high-speed rail transit between Tokyo and Osaka.
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The first Free Speech Movement protest erupts spontaneously on the University of California, Berkeley campus; students demanded an end to the ban of on-campus political activities.
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1963
Mark McGwire, “Big Mac,” pro baseball player who broke Roger Maris’ single-season home run record; admitted in 2010 to using performance-enhancing drugs throughout his career.
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1962
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson debuts; Carson will remain The Tonight Show host until 1992.
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1961
The Federal Republic of Cameroon is formed by the merger of East and West Cameroon.