1631-Pierre Gassendi observes transit of Mercury predicted by Kepler
1775-Lord Dunmore promises freedom to male slaves who join British army
1837-Abolitionist Elijah Lovejoy murdered by mob at Alton, Ill
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1872-Mary Celeste sails from NY to Genoa; found abandoned 4 weeks later
1874-First cartoon depicting elephant as Republican Party symbol by T Nast
1917-British capture Gaza Palestine from the Turks
1917-October Revolution (Oct. 26 OS) in Russia, Lenin seizes power
1918-United Press erroneously reports WWI armistice had been signed
1933-Pennsylvania voters overturn blue law, permitting Sunday sports
1951-Constitution of Jordan passed
1962-Richard Nixon quits politics: You won't have Nixon to kick around
1969-John & Yoko release their 2nd album “Wedding Album" in U.K.
1976-"Gone With the Wind" televised
1982-Liz Taylor's 7th divorce (John Warner)
1991-Magic Johnson announces he has HIV virus, retires from Lakers