This day in history

[October 16, 2008]  (AP)  Today is Thursday, Oct. 16, the 290th day of 2008. There are 76 days left in the year.

Today's highlight in history:

On Oct. 16, 1978, the College of Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church chose Cardinal Karol Wojtyla to be the new pope; he took the name John Paul II.

On this date:

In 1758, American lexicographer Noah Webster was born in Hartford, Conn.

In 1793, during the French Revolution, Marie Antoinette, the queen of France, was beheaded.

In 1859, abolitionist John Brown led a group of about 20 men in a failed raid on Harper's Ferry, Va.

In 1916, Margaret Sanger opened the first birth control clinic, in Brooklyn, N.Y. (The clinic ended up being raided by police and Sanger was arrested.)

In 1946, 10 Nazi war criminals condemned during the Nuremberg trials were hanged.

In 1962, the Cuban missile crisis began as President Kennedy was informed that reconnaissance photographs had revealed the presence of missile bases in Cuba.

In 1964, China set off its first atomic bomb, codenamed "596," on the Lop Nur Test Ground.

In 1968, American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos sparked controversy at the Mexico City Olympics by giving "black power" salutes during a victory ceremony after they'd won gold and bronze medals in the 200-meter race.

In 1987, a 58 1/2-hour drama in Midland, Texas, ended happily as rescuers freed Jessica McClure, an 18-month-old girl trapped in an abandoned well.

In 1991, a deadly shooting rampage took place in Killeen, Texas, as George Hennard opened fire at a Luby's Cafeteria, killing 23 people before taking his own life.

Ten years ago: Negotiators David Trimble and John Hume were named recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize for brokering the Northern Ireland peace accord.

Five years ago: The U.N. Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution aimed at attracting more troops and money to help stabilize Iraq and speed its independence. Three American soldiers were killed during a clash at a Shiite Muslim cleric's headquarters in Karbala. Pope John Paul II celebrated his 25 years as pontiff before a huge crowd in Rome's St. Peter's Square. The New York Yankees won the American League Championship Series, defeating the Boston Red Sox 6-5 in Game 7.

One year ago: President Bush welcomed the Dalai Lama to the White House for a half-hour meeting. Libya won a seat on the U.N. Security Council. Actress Deborah Kerr died in Suffolk, England, at age 86. Barbara West Dainton, believed to be one of the last two survivors from the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, died in Camborne, England, at age 96.

Today's birthdays: Actress Angela Lansbury is 83. Author Gunter Grass is 81. Former presidential adviser Charles W. Colson is 77. Actor-producer Tony Anthony is 71. Actor Barry Corbin is 68. Rock musician C.F. Turner (Bachman-Turner Overdrive) is 65. Actress Suzanne Somers is 62. Rock singer-musician Bob Weir is 61. Producer-director David Zucker is 61. Record company executive Jim Ed Norman is 60. Actor Daniel Gerroll is 57. Actor-director Tim Robbins is 50. Actor-musician Gary Kemp is 49. Singer-musician Bob Mould is 48. Actor Randy Vasquez is 47. Rock musician Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers) is 46. Actor Todd Stashwick is 40. Jazz musician Roy Hargrove is 39. Actress Terri J. Vaughn is 39. Singer Wendy Wilson (Wilson Phillips) is 39. Rapper B-Rock (B-Rock and the Bizz) is 37. Rock singer Chad Gray (Mudvayne) is 37. Actress Kellie Martin is 33. Singer John Mayer is 31. Actor Jeremy Jackson is 28. Actress Brea Grant (TV: "Heroes") is 27.

Thought for today: "To walk into history is to be free at once, to be at large among people." -- Elizabeth Bowen, Irish-born author (1899-1973)

[Associated Press]

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