Today in History

Tropical Storm Alpha forms, making 2005 the most active Atlantic hurricane season on record with 22 named storms.

Maurice Papon, formerly an official in the Vichy France government during World War II, is jailed for crimes against humanity for his role in deporting more than 1,600 Jews to concentration camps.

The US Federal Labor Relations authority decertified the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO) from representing federal air traffic controllers, as a result of a PATCO strike in August that was broken by the Reagan Administration.

Papal inauguration of Pope John Paul II; born Karol Jozef Wojtyla. The Polish-born Wojtyla was the first non-Italian pope since Pope Adrian VI died in 1523; he would become the second-longest serving pope in the history of the Papacy and exercise considerable influence on events of the later portion of the 20th century.

Operation Linebacker I, the bombing of North Vietnam with B-52 bombers, ends.

The Soviet Union launches Luna 12 for orbit around the moon

Jean Paul Satre declines the Nobel Prize for Literature.

U.S. reveals Soviet missile sites in Cuba. President Kennedy orders a naval and air blockade on further shipment of military equipment to Cuba. Following a confrontation that threatens nuclear war, Kennedy and Khrushchev agree on October 28 on a formula to end the crisis. On November 2 Kennedy reports that Soviet missile bases in Cuba are being dismantled.

The prototype of the F-105 Thunder Chief makes its maiden flight.

As a result of the Geneva accords granting Communist control over North Vietnam, U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower authorizes a crash program to train the South Vietnamese Army.

Jeff Goldblum, actor (Jurassic Park; Independence Day).

Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, unsuccessfully attempted to assassinate Pres. Gerald Ford on Sept. 5, 1975.

Annette Funicello, actress, singer; one of the most popular Mouseketeers on the original Micky Mouse Club TV series.

Joaquim Chissano, second President of Mozambique (1986–2005); credited with transforming Mozambique into one of Africa’s most successful democracies.

Christopher Lloyd, actor; (Back to the Future Film series; Who Framed Roger Rabbit; won three Emmys, two of them for his role as Jim Ignatoski in Taxi TV series).

Bobby Seale, American political activist; co-founder of the Black Panther Party.

Ann Rule, true crime author (The Stranger Beside Me).

Robert Rauschenberg, pop artist.

Timothy Leary, American psychologist who experimented with psychedelic drugs.

Doris Lessing, novelist (Children of Violence, The Golden Notebook).

The cities of Baltimore and Washington run out of coffins during the “Spanish Inflenza” epidemic.

U.S. places economic support behind Allies.

Ringling Brothers buys Barnum & Bailey.

George Beadle, American geneticist.

John Reed, American journalist, poet and revolutionary, (Ten Days That Shook the World).

N.C. Wyeth, painter famous for his illustrations of Treasure Island and Robin Hood.

Union troops push 5,000 confederates out of Maysbille, Ark., at the Second Battle of Pea Ridge.

Spain declares war on the Moors in Morocco.

Sam Houston sworn in as the first president of the Republic of Texas.

The Tennessee Legislature adjourns ending David “Davy” Crockett’s state political career.

Franz Liszt, piano virtuoso.

The first successful parachute descent is made by Andre-Jacqes Garnerin, who jumps from a balloon at some 2,200 feet over Paris.

Princeton University, in New Jersey, receives its charter.

Charles Martel of Gaul dies at Quiezy. His mayoral power is divided between his two sons, Pepin III and Carloman.