October 18 |
| Famous people born on this day: |
|
Fannie Hurst, novelist |
1889 |
|
Mark LaMura, actor (All My Children) |
1907 |
|
Victor Sen Young, actor (Bonanza) |
1915 |
|
Little Orphan Annie, comic strip character |
1924 |
|
Keith Jackson, sportscaster |
1928 |
|
Lee Harvey Oswald, JFK assassin |
1939 |
|
Mike Ditka, football coach |
1939 |
|
Angela Visser, Miss Universe |
1966 |
|
Karen J. McNenny, Miss Montana-America |
1971 |
|
Richard Vuu, actor (Last Emperor) |
1981 |
| Famous people that died on this day: |
|
Nathaniel Bacon, rebelled against government |
1676 |
|
Thomas Edison, inventor |
1931 |
|
Frank Knight, TV announcer |
1973 |
|
Bess Truman, former first lady |
1982 |
|
Florence Rinard, TV panelist (20 Questions) |
1984 |
|
Jon-Erik Hexum, actor (Bear) |
1987 |
| On this day... |
|
First U.S. labor union forms (Boston Shoemakers) |
1648 |
|
U.S. purchases Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million |
1867 |
|
John Owen is first man to run 100 yd. dash in under 10 seconds |
1890 |
|
American flag is raised in Puerto Rico |
1898 |
|
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is established |
1922 |
|
Hurricane Hazel is most severe to hit U.S. |
1954 |
|
Track & Field names Jesse Owens all-time track athlete |
1955 |
|
Walt Disney's Jungle Book is released |
1967 |
|
Circus Circus opens is Las Vegas |
1968 |
|
Congress authorizes half-dollar and dollar coins |
1973 |
|
Reggie Jackson hits 3 consecutive homeruns, tying Ruth's record |
1977 |
|
Beatlemania opens in London |
1979 |
|
U.S. manned space mission Atlantis 5 launches into orbit |
1989 |
October's birthstone is the opal. The opal originated in Australia. It is an opaque, white-based stone with what is known as different-colored "fire." Opals are formed at low temperatures and can occur in fissures and cavities of any rock type. The opal has a rich iridescence. Opals are mostly mined in South Australia, but have also been mined in Honduras, Mexico, and Nevada.
The zodiac sign for this day is the libra (the scales: Sept. 24-Oct. 23). The libra is the only inanimate sign. All the others represent humans or animals. The libra's color of choice is blue, and the starstone is the sapphire. The libra's ruling planet is Venus.
The flower of the month is the calendula. The Latin meaning of this plant is "throughout the months." The calendula is a member of the marigold family. It has also been valued for it's medicinal and culinary uses. An ancient beverage was made from calendula blossoms and wine. The petals were used in ointments that cured skin irritations, jaundice, sore eyes and toothaches. The Romans used it mixed with vinegar to season meat and salad dishes.
Other Facts About October
The thought of the day for October 18 is: "Even a hawk is an eagle among crows."
U.S. flag is formally raised in Alaska in 1867.
The Erie Canal first opens in 1825.
The Statue of Liberty is dedicated in 1886.
The Chicago fire begins in 1871.
Free rural delivery mail begins in U.S.
Halloween, Columbus Day, and Thanksgiving (Canada) are celebrated in October.
It is National Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 3-9)
It is Marriage Protection Week (Oct. 12-18)
It is National School Lunch Week (Oct. 12-18)
It is National Water Week (Oct. 19-25)
MSS Homepage || Main birthday page || October birthdays
Page Sponsor: Mr. David Gardner -
Principal
Author: Maggie P.
Webmaster: Al Willer
Created: April 2004
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