Today is Thursday, Oct. 27, the 300th day of 2005. There are 65 days left in the year.
Today’s Highlight in History:
On Oct. 27, 1787, the first of the Federalist Papers, a series of essays calling for ratification of the United States Constitution, was published in a New York newspaper.
On this date:
In 1505, the Grand Duke of Moscow, Ivan III (also known as “Ivan the Great”), died; he was succeeded by his son, Vasily III. (Vasily’s son, Ivan IV, later became the first czar of Russia, “Ivan the Terrible.”)
In 1858, the 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, was born in New York City.
In 1880, Theodore Roosevelt married Alice Lee.
In 1904, the first rapid transit subway, the IRT, was inaugurated in New York City.
In 1922, the first annual celebration of Navy Day took place.
In 1938, Du Pont announced a name for its new synthetic yarn: “nylon.”
In 1947, “You Bet Your Life,” starring Groucho Marx, premiered on ABC Radio. (It later became a television show on NBC.)
In 1967, Expo ’67 closed in Montreal, Canada.
In 1978, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin were named winners of the Nobel Peace Prize for their progress toward achieving a Middle East accord.
In 1986, the New York Mets won the World Series, coming from behind to defeat the Boston Red Sox, 8-5, in Game 7 played at Shea Stadium.
Ten years ago: A sniper killed one soldier and wounded 18 others at Fort Bragg, N.C. (Paratrooper William J. Kreutzer was later convicted in the shootings, and condemned to death; however, the death sentence was later overturned.) Thousands rallied in Montreal for national unity three days before a referendum on whether Quebec should secede.
Five years ago: Canadian authorities arrested two men they say masterminded the 1985 bombing of an Air India jumbo jet near Ireland that claimed the lives of all 329 people aboard. (However, the men were acquitted at trial in March 2005.)
One year ago: The Boston Red Sox won their first World Series since 1918, sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 4, 3-0. New York City’s subway system marked its 100th anniversary. Bandleader Lester Lanin died in New York at age 97.
Today’s Birthdays: Actress Nanette Fabray is 85. Baseball Hall-of-Famer and sportscaster Ralph Kiner is 83. Actress Ruby Dee is 81. Former Secretary of State Warren M. Christopher is 80. Actor-comedian John Cleese is 66. Country singer Lee Greenwood is 63. Producer-director Ivan Reitman is 59. Country singer-musician Jack Daniels is 56. Rock musician Garry Tallent (Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band) is 56. Author Fran Lebowitz is 55. Rock musician K.K. Downing (Judas Priest) is 54. Actor-director Roberto Benigni is 53. Actor Peter Firth is 52. Actor Robert Picardo is 52. Singer Simon Le Bon is 47. Musician J.D. McFadden is 41. Rock musician Jason Finn (Presidents of the United States of America) is 38. Rock singer Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots) is 38. Actor Sean Holland is 37. Actress Sheeri Rappaport is 28. Actress-singer Kelly Osbourne is 21.
Thought for Today: “If men were angels, no government would be necessary.” — President James Madison (1751-1836).