October 20th
Today in 1803,the US Senate ratified the Louisiana Purchase.
Today in 1818,the 49th parallel formed border between the United States Canada…while the US and Britain agreed to joint control of Oregon country.
Today in 1903,the United States won a disputed boundary between District of Alaska and Canada.
Today in 1906,Lee De Forrest, the father of radio,filed for a patent of the vacuum tube. It was granted the following January.
Today in 1910,a baseball with a cork center was secretly introduced in a World Series game for the first time in a game with the Philadelphia Athletics and the Chicago Cubs. Philadelphia won the series 4 games to 1.
Today in 1957,Walter Cronkite debuted as the host of a weekly documentary show titled "The 20th Century,"which reported on major events that had shaped modern world history. The show changed its focus and its title to "The 21st Century" in 1967.
Today in 1968,former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy married Greek shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis during a ceremony on the island of Scorpio in Greece.
Today in 1971,President Nixon nominated Lewis F. Powell and William H. Rehnquist to the US Supreme Court.
Today in 1973,during the Watergate scandal, President Nixon fired Special Watergate Prosecutor Archibald Cox and Deputy Attorney General William Ruckelshaus, while Attorney General Elliot Richardson resigned. The day's events became known as the "Saturday Night Massacre."
Today in 1975,the Supreme Court ruled that teachers could spank students if the students were told in advance that their behavior that would warrant such punishment. Nineteen states still allow the practice.
Today in 1979,the John F. Kennedy Library was dedicated in Boston.
Today in 1984,a day after being arrested, auto magnate John DeLorean was formally charged with trying to distribute over $14-million worth of cocaine.
Today in 1990,the Cincinnati Reds beat (or as some saw it, slaughtered) the Oakland A'sas they won the World Series.
Today in 1993,attorney General Janet Reno warned the TV industry to limit violence in programs.
Today in 1994,legendary actor Burt Lancaster died at the age of 80.
Today in 1995,the Kevin Smith film, “Mallrats,”opened nationwide.
Today in 1998,comedian Richard Pryor was awarded the first-ever Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
Today in 1999,Elizabeth Dole abandoned her Republican bid to be America's first woman President.
Today in 2003,a 40-year-old man went over Niagara Falls without safety devices and survived. He was charged with illegally performing a stunt.
Today in 2004,Boston Red Sox came back from 0-3 to defeat the New York Yankees 10-3 and won baseball’s American League.
Today in 2011,the former leader of Libya, Muammar Gaddafi, and his son, Moatassem Gaddafi,were captured and killed shortly after the battle of Sirte.
Today in 2014,just 17-years-old, Laquan McDonald was shot dead by Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke while walking away from officers. Van Dyke was convicted of second-degree murder in October 2018.