This day in history

[October 06, 2010]  (AP)  Today is Wednesday, Oct. 6, the 279th day of 2010. There are 86 days left in the year.

Today's highlight in history:

On Oct. 6, 1927, the era of talking pictures arrived with the opening of "The Jazz Singer," starring Al Jolson.

On this date:

In 1683, thirteen families from Krefeld, Germany, arrived in Philadelphia to begin Germantown, one of America's oldest settlements.

In 1884, the Naval War College was established in Newport, R.I.

In 1939, as remaining military resistance in Poland crumbled, Adolf Hitler blamed the Poles for the Nazi-Soviet invasion of their country.

In 1949, President Harry S. Truman signed the Mutual Defense Assistance Act, providing $1.3 billion in military aid to NATO countries. U.S.-born Iva Toguri D'Aquino, convicted of treason for being Japanese wartime broadcaster "Tokyo Rose," was sentenced in San Francisco to 10 years in prison (she ended up serving more than six).

In 1958, the nuclear submarine USS Seawolf surfaced after spending 60 days submerged.

In 1960, the historical drama "Spartacus," starring Kirk Douglas and directed by Stanley Kubrick, had its world premiere in New York.

In 1973, war erupted in the Middle East as Egypt and Syria attacked Israel during the Yom Kippur holiday.

In 1979, Pope John Paul II, on a week-long U.S. tour, became the first pontiff to visit the White House, where he was received by President Jimmy Carter.

In 1981, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat was shot to death by extremists while reviewing a military parade.

In 1989, actress Bette Davis died in Neuilly-sur-Seine (nu-yee-sur-sehn), France, at age 81.

Ten years ago: Slobodan Milosevic (sloh-BOH'-dahn mee-LOH'-shuh-vich) finally conceded defeat to Vojislav Kostunica (VAW'-yee-slahv kohsh-TOO'-nee-tzuh) in Yugoslavia's presidential elections, a day after protesters angry at Milosevic for clinging to power stormed parliament and ended his 13-year autocratic regime. Stuntman-turned-actor Richard Farnsworth died at his New Mexico ranch at age 80. "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" premiered on CBS.

Five years ago: President George W. Bush sought to rally flagging public support for the war in Iraq, accusing militants of seeking to establish a "radical Islamic empire" with Iraq as the base.

One year ago: President Barack Obama said al-Qaida had "lost operational capacity" in Afghanistan after a series of military setbacks and vowed to continue the battle to cripple the terror organization. George Papandreou was sworn in as Greece's new Socialist prime minister. Americans Charles K. Kao, Willard S. Boyle and George E. Smith won the Nobel Prize in physics.

Today's birthdays: Broadcaster and writer Melvyn Bragg is 71. Actress Britt Ekland is 68. Singer Millie Small is 64. The president of Sinn Fein (shin fayn), Gerry Adams, is 62. Singer-musician Thomas McClary is 61. CBS chief executive officer Les Moonves is 61. Rock singer Kevin Cronin (REO Speedwagon) is 59. Rock singer-musician David Hidalgo (Los Lobos) is 56. Former NFL player and coach Tony Dungy is 55. Actress Elisabeth Shue is 47. Singer Matthew Sweet is 46. Actress Jacqueline Obradors is 44. Country singer Tim Rushlow is 44. Rock musician Tommy Stinson is 44. Actress Amy Jo Johnson is 40. Actress Emily Mortimer is 39. Actor Lamman (la-MAHN') Rucker is 39. Actor Ioan Gruffudd (YOH'-ihn GRIH'-fihth) is 37. Actor Jeremy Sisto is 36. Rhythm-and-blues singer Melinda Doolittle (TV: "American Idol") is 33.

Thought for today: "The most exciting attractions are between two opposites that never meet." -- Andy Warhol, American painter (1928-1987)

[Associated Press]

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