Today in History

Many stock exchanges worldwide suffer the steepest declines in their histories; the day becomes known as “Bloody Friday.”

The supersonic Concorde jet made its last commercial passenger flight from New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to London’s Heathrow Airport, traveling at twice the speed of sound.

Toronto Blue Jays win the World Series, defeating the Atlanta Braves in the 11th inning of the 6th game, to become the first Major League Baseball team from outside the US to win the series.

Poland’s government legalizes the Solidarity trade union.

Yom Kippur War ends.

Leftist Salvador Allende elected president of Chile.

Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, US Army’s Deputy Director of Operations during the Iraq War that deposed dictator Saddam Hussein; presently (2013) commander of Third Army.

Presidential candidate Dwight D. Eisenhower announces that if elected, he will go to Korea.

Vidkun Quisling, Norway’s wartime minister president, is executed by firing squad for collaboration with the Nazis.

The aircraft carrier USS Princeton is sunk by a single Japanese plane during the Battle of Leyte Gulf.

Frank Delany, Irish author, journalist, broadcaster; best known for his novel Ireland and non-fiction book Simple Courage: A True Story of Peril on the Sea.

Dr. William H. Dobelle, biomedical researcher who developed technology that restored limited sight to blind patients.

The Fair Labor Standards Act becomes law, establishing the 40-hour work week.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, called Mahatma or “Great Soul,” resigns from Congress in India.