Today in History - October 15th

• 1522 - On this day in history, Emperor Karel I named explorer Hernán Cortés Governor of Mexico.
• 1655 - Today in history, the Jews of Lublin were massacred. The Jewish population of Lublin in 1655 was about 2,000 families; and, including those who for safety fled from the neighboring villages, there must have been in the city at least 10,000 Jews, most of whom were massacred by the Cossacks.
• 1789 - On this day in history, the first presidential tour took place as George Washington traveled around New England.
• 1815 - Today in history, French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled on the island of St Helena at age 51.
• 1864 - Confederate troops occupied Glasgow, Missouri. The Battle was fought during the American Civil War. Although the battle resulted in a Confederate victory and the capture of significant war material, it had little long-term benefit as the Confederate Army was ultimately defeated at Westport a week later, bringing its campaign in Missouri to an end.
• 1878 - The Edison Electric Light Company was incorporated: A first in a series of electric companies, until the present, distributing electricity to the masses.
• 1883 - The Supreme Court declared The Civil Rights Act of 1875 unconstitutional.
• 1914 - The Clayton Anti-Trust Act passed, solidifying union & strike rights.
• 1917 - During World War I: At Vincennes, outside of Paris, Dutch dancer Mata Hari, the subject of many a modern film, was executed by firing squad for spying for Germany.
• 1924 - President Calvin Coolidge declared the Statue of Liberty a national monument.
• 1939 - On this day in history, LaGuardia Airport opened in NYC.
• 1941 - The first mass deportation of German Jews to Eastern Europe took place; in addition, any Jews caught outside the Polish Ghetto walls could be put to death.
• 1966 - LBJ signed a bill creating Department of Transportation (DOT).
• 1969 - On this day in history, the Bank of America World Headquarters (555 California) was dedicated.
• 1969 - Today in history, the Vietnam Moratorium Day took place; millions nationwide protested the war.
• 1993 - Nelson Mandela & South Africa President F. W. de Klerk were awarded The Nobel Peace Prize.

CULTURE, LIFESTYLE - Today in History, October 15th

• 1581 - Commissioned by Catherine De Medici, the first ballet "Ballet Comique de la Reine," was staged in Paris.
• 1881 - On this day in history, American fishing magazine "American Angler" was first published.
• 1905 - Today in history, Claude Debussy's "La Mer," premiered.
• 1937 - On this day in history, Ernest Hemingway's "To Have & Have Not" was published.
• 1940 - "The Great Dictator", a satiric social commentary film by and starring Charlie Chaplin, was released.
• 1949 - Today in history, legendary preacher Billy Graham began his ministry.
• 1951 - On this day in history, iconic TV series "I Love Lucy" debuted on CBS.
• 1959 - Today in history, "Untouchables" premiered, to be brought back again and again both on film and TV.
• 1969 - On this day in history, Madison Square Garden TV Network began transmitting sports (Rangers versus North Stars).
• 1981 - Today in history, professional cheerleader Krazy George Henderson led what was thought to be the first audience wave in Oakland, California.

SCIENCE, PATENTS, INVENTIONS - Today in History, October 15th

• 1786 - On this day in history, the earliest 32°F (0°C) recorded temp in NYC happened.
• 1846 - Dr. William Thomas Green Morton employed first public use of ether.
• 1928 - German dirigible "Graf Zeppelin" landed in Lakehurst, NJ.
• 1951 - Mexican chemist Luis E. Miramontes synthesized the first oral contraceptive.
• 1985 - Shuttle Columbia carried Spacelab into orbit, on this day in history.
• 2001 - NASA's Galileo spacecraft passed within 112 miles of Jupiter's moon Io.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS - October 15th

• 1844 - Friedrich Nietzsche was born in Röcken bei Lützen, Prussia, to become a leading German philosopher (Beyond Good and Evil).
• 1920 - Mario Puzo, was born in NYC, to engage in writing famed novels like Godfather, Cotton Club, and Earthquake.
• 1924 - Lee A. Iacocca, world-renowned CEO of Chrysler Corp was born.
• 1943 - Penny Marshall, talented TV actress was born in The Bronx, New York (Odd Couple, Laverne & Shirley)