Today:
1582 – October 5 did not exist in Italy, Spain, Portugal, and several other Catholic territories that adopted the new Gregorian calendar. October 4 was followed immediately by October 15 to correct accumulated errors in the Julian calendar.
1813 – American forces defeated British and Native American forces at the Battle of the Thames during the War of 1812. Shawnee leader Tecumseh was killed during the battle.
1877 – Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce surrendered to U.S. forces in Montana after a fighting retreat of more than 1,000 miles. His surrender is associated with the famous statement, “I will fight no more forever.”
1905 – Wilbur Wright piloted the Wright Flyer III for more than 24 miles near Dayton, Ohio, remaining airborne for approximately 39 minutes and demonstrating the practicality of controlled powered flight.
1910 – Portugal’s monarchy was overthrown following a revolution in Lisbon, and the Portuguese Republic was proclaimed.
1947 – President Harry S. Truman delivered the first televised presidential address from the White House, asking Americans to conserve food to help alleviate shortages in postwar Europe.
1962 – The Beatles released “Love Me Do” in the United Kingdom, their first single issued by EMI’s Parlophone label. The song helped launch one of the most influential recording careers in popular music.
1969 – Monty Python’s Flying Circus premiered on BBC television. The comedy series introduced the distinctive surreal style of the Monty Python comedy group.
1984 – Marc Garneau became the first Canadian in space when the Space Shuttle Challenger launched on mission STS-41-G.
2011 – Steve Jobs, co-founder and former CEO of Apple, died at age 56. Jobs played a central role in the development and popularization of products including the Macintosh, iPod, iPhone and iPad.