Today in History

US President George W. Bush establishes the Office of Homeland Security.

Croatia votes to sever its ties with Yugoslavia.

The musical Cats begins a run of nearly 18 years on Broadway.

Ken Warby of Australia sets the world water speed record, 317.60 mph, at Blowering Dam in Australia; no other human has yet (2013) exceeded 300 mph on water and survived.

In the Yom Kippur War an Israeli armored brigade makes an unsuccessful attack on Egyptian positions on the Israeli side of the Suez Canal.

Matt Damon, actor, screenwriter, producer, philanthropist; shared Academy Award and Golden Globe for screenplay Good Will Hunting; appeared in Saving Private Ryan, Invictus.

The “Days of Rage” begin in Chicago; the Weathermen faction of the Students for a Democratic Society initiate 3 days of violent antiwar protests.

U.S. forces in Vietnam launch Operation SEALORDS (South East Asia Lake, Ocean, River and Delta Strategy), an attack on communist supply lines and base areas in and around the Mekong Delta.

Guerrilla Che Guevara captured in Bolivia.

C. J. Ramone, musician, sometimes vocalist of The Ramones.

Erik Gundersen, motorcycle speedway rider; won 3 Speedway World Championships, 2 Long Track World Championships, and 7 World Team Cup awards (riding for Denmark in the latter).

Don Larsen of the New York Yankees pitches the first perfect game in World Series history against the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Edward Zwick, director, producer whose films often are based on historic events (Glory, The Last Samurai).

Sigourney Weaver, actress; (Aliens film series, Gorillas in the Mist).

Johnny Ramone, musician, songwriter, founding member of The Ramones band.