Today in History

Russian Spetsnaz storm the Moscow Theatre, where Chechen terrorists had taken the audience and performers hostage three days earlier; 50 terrorists and 150 hostages die in the assault.

The USA PATRIOT Act signed into law by Pres. George W. Bush, greatly expanding intelligence and legal agencies’ ability to utilize wiretaps, records searches and surveillance.

Israel and Jordan sign a peace treaty.

The President of South Korea, Park Chung-hee, asssinated by Kim Jae-kyu, head of the country’s Central intelligence Agency; Choi Kyu-ha is named acting president.

Gary Trudeau’s comic strip Doonesbury first appears.

Keith Urban, singer, songwriter, musician; “Golden Road” (2002) named biggest country hit of the decade 2000–2010 by Billboard magazine.

The first New York – Paris transatlantic jet passenger service is inaugurated by Pan Am, while the first New York – London transatlantic jet passenger service is inaugurated by BOAC.

The Russian government announces that Marshal Georgi Zhukov, the nation’s most prominent military hero, has been relieved of his duties as Minister of Defense. Khrushchev accused Zhukov as promoting his own “cult of personality” and saw him as a threat to his own popularity.

Ngo Dinh Diem declares himself Premier of South Vietnam.

Keith Strickland, songwriter, musician; guitarist with The B-52s.

A reconnaissance platoon for a South Korean division reaches the Yalu River. They are the only elements of the U.N. force to reach the river before the Chinese offensive pushes the whole army down into South Korea.

Hillary Rodham Clinton, First Lady of the United States (1993–2001), Senator from New York (2001–2009) and US Secretary of State (2009–2013).

Pat Conroy, novelist (The Prince of Tides).

U.S. Navy aircraft carrier Hornet is sunk in the Battle of Santa Cruz Island, in the South Pacific.

Mohammed Reza Pahlevi, the Shah of Iran who was overthrown in 1979 and died in Egypt

Germany’s supreme commander, General Erich Ludendorff, resigns, protesting the terms to which the German Government has agreed in negotiating the armistice. This sets the stage for his later support for Hitler and the Nazis, who claim that Germany did not lose the war on the battlefield but were “stabbed in the back” by politicians.

French leader Francois Mitterrand.

Mahalia Jackson, gospel singer.

Norway signs a treaty of separation with Sweden. Norway chooses Prince Charles of Denmark as the new king; he becomes King Haakon VII.

Beryl Markham, aviator and writer.

Three Earp brothers and Doc Holliday have a shootout with the Clantons and McLaurys at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona Territory.

Leon Trotsky, a leader of the Bolshevik Revolution.

Charles William Post, food manufacturer, creator of “Grape Nuts” and “Post Toasties.”

The first boat on the Erie Canal leaves Buffalo, N.Y.

Count Helmuth Karl Von Moltke, a Prussian Field Marshal, whose reorganization of the Prussian Army lead to military victories which allowed the unification of Germany.

When General Paul Barras resigns his commission as head of France’s Army of the Interior to become head of the Directory, his second-in-command becomes the army’s commander—Napoleon Bonaparte.

The first Continental Congress, which protested British measures and called for civil disobedience, concludes in Philadelphia.