Today in 1009, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem was destroyed by the Fatimid caliph Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, who hacked the Church's foundations down to bedrock.
Today in 1767, the Mason-Dixon line was agreed upon, ending a boundary dispute relating to Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.
Today in 1775, African-American poet Phillis Wheatley was freed from slavery.
Today in 1867, the US took formal possession of Alaska from Russia. The land was purchased of a total of $7-million dollars (2-cents per acre).
Today in 1892, the first long-distance telephone line between Chicago and New York City was opened.
Today in 1898, the American flag was raised in Puerto Rico only one year after the Caribbean nation won its independence from Spain.
Today in 1977, Reggie “Mr. October” Jackson tied Babe Ruth's record for hitting three homeruns in a single World Series game. Jackson was only the second player to achieve this.
Today in 1988, the TV comedy "Roseanne" starring Roseanne Barr, John Goodman and Laurie Metcalf premiered on ABC-TV.
Today in 1989, the space shuttle Atlantis was launched on a mission that included the deployment of the Galileo space probe.
Today in 1997, the Women’s Memorial – a monument honoring US servicewomen, past and present, was dedicated at Arlington National Cemetery.
Today in 2009, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady threw five second quarter touchdowns against the Tennessee Titans, an NFL record for touchdown passes in one quarter.
Today in 2011, Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was released by Hamas in a deal brokered by German and Egyptian mediators. In exchange, Israel released Hamas 1,027 prisoners.
Today in 2012, MLB American League Championship: Detroit Tigers beat New York Yankees, 4 games to 0.
Today in 2013, MLB National League Championship: St. Louis Cardinals beat Los Angeles Dodgers, 4 games to 2.
Today in 2017, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson accused President Donald Trump of being insensitive to the widow of Army Sgt. La David Johnson by saying, "He knew what he was signing up for, but I guess it hurts anyway." The President denied it.
Today in 2019, the first all-female spacewalk was completed by NASA astronauts Christina Koch and Jessica Meir outside the International Space Station.