Today:
1492 – Christopher Columbus makes landfall in the Caribbean, believed to be the Bahamas, marking the European discovery of the Americas.
1609 – The song “Three Blind Mice” is published in London, believed to be one of the earliest-known nursery rhymes.
1692 – The Salem witch trials conclude in Massachusetts with the final hanging.
1792 – The first Columbus Day celebration is held in New York City.
1810 – The first Oktoberfest is held in Munich, Bavaria, to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen.
1822 – Pedro I of Brazil is declared the emperor of Brazil.
1892 – The Pledge of Allegiance is recited in public schools for the first time, during the celebration of the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ voyage.
1928 – An iron lung respirator is used for the first time at Boston’s Children’s Hospital, marking a breakthrough in medical technology.
1960 – Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev famously bangs his shoe on the podium during a United Nations General Assembly meeting.
2000 – The USS Cole is bombed by al-Qaeda terrorists while refueling in Yemen, killing 17 U.S. sailors.