October 19th

Today's Highlight in History:
On October 19th, 1781, British troops under Lord Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown, Virginia, as the American Revolution neared its end.

On this date:
In 1765, the Stamp Act Congress, meeting in New York, drew up a declaration of rights and liberties.

In 1812, French forces under Napoleon Bonaparte began their retreat from Moscow.

In 1864, Confederate General Jubal A. Early attacked Union forces at Cedar Creek, Virginia; the Union troops were able to rally and defeat the Confederates.

In 1944, the Navy announced that black women would be allowed into Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (the WAVES).

In 1950, United Nations forces entered the North Korean capital of Pyongyang.

In 1951, President Truman signed an act formally ending the state of war with Germany.

In 1960, the United States imposed an embargo on exports to Cuba covering all commodities except medical supplies and certain food products.

In 1977, the body of West German industrialist Hanns Martin Schleyer, who had been kidnapped by left-wing extremists, was found in Mulhouse, France.

In 1977, the supersonic Concorde made its first landing in New York City.

In 1987, the stock market crashed as the Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged 508 points, or 22.6 percent in value.

Ten years ago: Iraq ordered all foreigners in occupied Kuwait to report to authorities or face punishment. The Supreme Soviet voted to approve President Mikhail S. Gorbachev's economic reform plan. The Cincinnati Reds beat the Oakland A's 8-to-3, taking a three games-to-none lead in the World Series.

Five years ago: Ignoring a veto threat, the House passed a Republican plan for overhauling Medicare by raising premiums for the elderly and disabled and saving billions from hospital and doctor fees.

One year ago: Legislation to overhaul the nation's campaign finance laws fell to a filibuster by Senate Republicans for the fourth straight year. The Atlanta Braves won the National League pennant by beating the New York Mets, 10-to-9, in Game Six of their championship series.

"Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong, have governed my life: the longing for love, the search for knowledge and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind."

-- Bertrand Russell, English philosopher (1872-1970).