October first

Today's Highlight in History:
On October first, 1949, Communist Party Chairman Mao Tse-tung raised the first flag of the People's Republic of China during a ceremony in Beijing.

On this date:
In 1800, Spain ceded Louisiana to France in a secret treaty.

In 1885, special delivery mail service began in the United States.

In 1896, the US Post Office established Rural Free Delivery.

In 1908, Henry Ford introduced the Model T automobile to the market.

In 1940, the first section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, 160 miles in length, was opened to the public.

In 1943, Allied forces captured Naples during World War Two.

In 1961, Roger Maris of the New York Yankees hit his 61st home run during a 162-game season, compared to Babe Ruth's 60 home runs during a 154-game season.

In 1964, the Free Speech Movement was launched at the University of California at Berkeley.

In 1971, Walt Disney World opened in Orlando, Florida.

In 1989, thousands of East Germans received a triumphal welcome in West Germany after the communist government agreed to let them flee to the West.

Ten years ago: President Bush, addressing the UN General Assembly, again condemned Iraq's takeover of Kuwait, but also suggested an unconditional military withdrawal could help speed an end to the Arab-Israeli conflict. Air Force General Curtis E. LeMay died at March Air Force Base, California, at age 83.

Five years ago: Sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman and nine other defendants were convicted in New York of conspiring to attack the United States through bombings, assassinations and kidnappings. An earthquake in southwestern Turkey killed about 90 people.

One year ago: South Korean activists thanked the US government for promising to investigate an Associated Press report that US forces allegedly killed several hundred refugees at the start of the Korean War. But the protesters also demanded the US punish some of the veterans involved and compensate the victims' relatives.

"Anything one man can imagine, other men can make real."

-- Jules Verne, French author (1828-1905).