On October 17th 1931, gangster Al Capone was sentenced to 11 years in prison for tax evasion and fined $80,000, signalling the downfall of one of the most notorious criminals of the 1920s and 1930s. Alphonse Gabriel Capone was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1899 to Italian immigrants. He was expelled from school at … Continue reading October 17 1931 Al Capone goes to prison
Category: News and Features
News, Features, Media Releases and Comments
October 16 1934 “The Long March” begins in China’s southwest
On October 16th 1934, the embattled Chinese Communists broke through Nationalist enemy lines and began an epic flight from their encircled headquarters in southwest China. Known as Ch'ang Cheng, the "Long March", the retreat lasted 368 days and covered 6,000 miles, nearly twice the distance from New York to San Francisco. Civil war in China … Continue reading October 16 1934 “The Long March” begins in China’s southwest
October 15 1917 Mata Hari executed
On October 15th 1917, Mata Hari, the archetype of the seductive female spy, was executed for espionage by a French firing squad at Vincennes outside of Paris. She first came to Paris in 1905 and found fame as a performer of exotic Asian-inspired dances. She soon began touring all over Europe, telling the story of … Continue reading October 15 1917 Mata Hari executed
October 14 1975 Trial begins in Amityville murders
On October 14th 1975, Ronald DeFeo Jr. went on trial for the killings of his parents and four siblings in their Amityville, New York, home. The family’s house was later said to be haunted and served as the inspiration for the Amityville Horror book and movies. On the evening of November 13, 1974, Ronald “Butch” … Continue reading October 14 1975 Trial begins in Amityville murders
October 13 1950 Jimmy Stewart stars in Harvey
On October 13th 1950, the actor James Stewart starred in Harvey, a drama about an eccentric man whose best friend is a giant invisible rabbit. Directed by Henry Koster and based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name by Mary Chase, Harvey earned Stewart the fourth Best Actor Oscar nomination of his career. … Continue reading October 13 1950 Jimmy Stewart stars in Harvey
October 12 2002 Terrorists kill 202 in Bali
On October 12th 2002, three bombings shattered the peace in the town of Kuta on the Indonesian island of Bali. The blasts, the work of militant Islamist terrorists, left 202 people dead, including 88 Australians, and more than 200 others injured, many with severe burns. The attacks shocked residents and those familiar with the mostly … Continue reading October 12 2002 Terrorists kill 202 in Bali
October 11 1975 Bruce Springsteen has first pop hit with “Born to Run”
On October 11th 1975, the epic single "Born to Run" became Bruce Springsteen's first-ever Top 40 hit, marking the start of his eventual transition from little-known cult figure to international superstar. By 1975, 26-year-old Bruce Springsteen had two heavily promoted major-label albums behind him, but nothing approaching a popular hit. Tapped by Columbia Records as … Continue reading October 11 1975 Bruce Springsteen has first pop hit with “Born to Run”
October 10 2004 Superman star Christopher Reeve dies
On October 10th 2004, the actor Christopher Reeve, who became famous for his starring role in four Superman films, died from heart failure at the age of 52 at a hospital near his home in Westchester County, New York. Reeve, who was paralyzed in a 1995 horse-riding accident, was a leading advocate for spinal cord … Continue reading October 10 2004 Superman star Christopher Reeve dies
October 9 1992 Meteorite crashes into car in Peekskill, NY
On October 9th 1992, 18-year-old Michelle Knapp was watching television in her parents' living room in Peekskill, New York when she heard a thunderous crash in the driveway. Alarmed, Knapp ran outside to investigate. What she found was startling, to say the least: a sizeable hole in the rear end of her car, an orange … Continue reading October 9 1992 Meteorite crashes into car in Peekskill, NY
October 8 1871 Great Chicago Fire begins
On October 8th 1871, flames sparked in the Chicago barn of Patrick and Catherine O'Leary, igniting a two-day blaze that killed between 200 and 300 people, destroyed 17,450 buildings, left 100,000 homeless and caused an estimated $200 million (in 1871 dollars; over $3 billion in 2012 dollars) in damages. Legend has it that a cow … Continue reading October 8 1871 Great Chicago Fire begins
October 7 1983 Sean Connery plays James Bond in Never Say Never Again
On October 7th 1983, Sean Connery starred in Never Say Never Again as the British secret service agent James Bond, a role he last played in 1971. The film’s title referenced the fact that the Scottish-born actor had previously remarked that he would never play Agent 007 again. Connery, who was born in Edinburgh on … Continue reading October 7 1983 Sean Connery plays James Bond in Never Say Never Again
October 6 1973 Yom Kippur War begins
On October 6th 1973, hoping to win back territory lost to Israel during the third Arab-Israeli war, Egyptian and Syrian forces launched a coordinated attack against Israel on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Taking the Israeli Defence Forces by surprise, Egyptian troops swept deep into the Sinai Peninsula, while Syria struggled … Continue reading October 6 1973 Yom Kippur War begins
October 5 1989 Dalai Lama wins Nobel Peace Prize
On October 5th 1989, the Dalai Lama, the exiled religious and political leader of Tibet, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his nonviolent campaign to end the Chinese domination of Tibet. The 14th Dalai Lama was born as Tenzin Gyatso in Tsinghai Province, China, in 1935. He was of Tibetan parentage, and … Continue reading October 5 1989 Dalai Lama wins Nobel Peace Prize
October 4 1970 Janis Joplin dies of a heroin overdose
On October 4th 1970, Janis Joplin died of an accidental heroin overdose, and was discovered in her Los Angeles hotel room after failing to show for a scheduled recording session. She was 27 years old. In the summer of 1966, Janis Joplin was a drifter; four years later, she was a rock-and-roll legend. She'd gone … Continue reading October 4 1970 Janis Joplin dies of a heroin overdose
October 3 1995 O.J. Simpson acquitted
On October 3rd 1995, at the end of a sensational trial, former football star O.J. Simpson was acquitted of the brutal 1994 double murder of his estranged wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman. In the epic 252-day trial, Simpson's "dream team" of lawyers employed creative and controversial methods to convince jurors that … Continue reading October 3 1995 O.J. Simpson acquitted
October 2 1971 Rod Stewart earns his first #1 hit with “Maggie May”
On October 2nd 1971, one of the greatest rock songs of all time, "Maggie May," became Rod Stewart's first #1 hit. If living well is the best revenge, then Rod Stewart has long since avenged the critical barbs he's suffered through the years. Still active in his fifth decade as a recording star, he can … Continue reading October 2 1971 Rod Stewart earns his first #1 hit with “Maggie May”
October 1 1949 Mao Zedong proclaims People’s Republic of China
On October 1st 1949, naming himself head of state, communist revolutionary Mao Zedong officially proclaimed the existence of the People's Republic of China; Zhou Enlai was named premier. The proclamation was the climax of years of battle between Mao's communist forces and the regime of Nationalist Chinese leader Chiang Kai-Shek, who had been supported with … Continue reading October 1 1949 Mao Zedong proclaims People’s Republic of China
September 30 1955 James Dean dies
On September 30th 1955, movie star James Dean died at age 24 in a car crash on a California highway. Dean was driving his Porsche 550 Spyder, nicknamed "Little Bastard," headed to a car race in Salinas, California, with his mechanic Rolf Wuetherich, when they were involved in a head-on collision with a car driven … Continue reading September 30 1955 James Dean dies
September 29 2005 Reporter Judith Miller released from prison
On September 29th 2005, New York Times reporter Judith Miller was released from a federal detention centre in Alexandria, Virginia, after agreeing to testify in the investigation into the leaking of the identity of covert CIA officer Valerie Plame. Miller had been behind bars since July 6, 2005, for refusing to reveal a confidential source … Continue reading September 29 2005 Reporter Judith Miller released from prison
September 28 1066 William the Conqueror invades England
On September 28th 1066, claiming his right to the English throne, William, duke of Normandy, invaded England at Pevensey on Britain's southeast coast. His subsequent defeat of King Harold II at the Battle of Hastings marked the beginning of a new era in British history. William was the illegitimate son of Robert I, duke of … Continue reading September 28 1066 William the Conqueror invades England
September 27 1854 Ships collide off Newfoundland
On September 27th 1854, sudden and heavy fog caused two ships to collide, killing 322 people off the coast of Newfoundland The Arctic was a luxury ship, built in 1850 to carry passengers across the Atlantic Ocean. It had a wooden hull and could reach speeds of up to 13 knots per hour, an impressive … Continue reading September 27 1854 Ships collide off Newfoundland
September 26 2008 Screen legend Paul Newman dies
On September 26th 2008, Paul Newman, one of the leading movie stars of the 20th century, died at the age of 83 from cancer at his home in Westport, Connecticut. In a career spanning more than five decades, Newman made over 65 movies, including the classics “Cool Hand Luke,” “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” … Continue reading September 26 2008 Screen legend Paul Newman dies
September 25 2005 IRA officially disarms
On September 25th 2005, two months after announcing its intention to disarm, the Irish Republican Army (IRA) gave up its weapons in front of independent weapons inspectors. The decommissioning of the group's substantial arsenal took place in secret locations in the Republic of Ireland. One Protestant and one Catholic priest as well as officials from … Continue reading September 25 2005 IRA officially disarms
September 24 1966 The Monkees get their first real-life pop hit
On September 24th 1966, the made-for-television Monkees smashed into the real world when their first single, "Last Train To Clarksville," entered the Billboard Top 40. When producers Bert Schneider and Bob Rafelson conceived a situation comedy called The Monkees in 1965, they hoped to create a ratings success by blurring the line between pop music … Continue reading September 24 1966 The Monkees get their first real-life pop hit
September 23 1994 The Shawshank Redemption debuts
On September 23rd 1994, The Shawshank Redemption, starring Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins, opened in theatres around the United States. Based on a short story titled “Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption,” by the best-selling author Stephen King, the movie followed the story of a man named Andy Dufresne (Robbins) who is sentenced to life … Continue reading September 23 1994 The Shawshank Redemption debuts
Craig Hill 