October 22nd

Today's Highlight in History:
On October 22nd, 1979, the US government allowed the deposed Shah of Iran to travel to New York for medical treatment -- a decision that precipitated the Iran hostage crisis.

On this date:
In 1746, Princeton University in New Jersey received its charter.

In 1797, French balloonist Andre-Jacques Garnerin made the first parachute descent, landing safely from a height of about three-thousand feet.

In 1836, Sam Houston was inaugurated as the first constitutionally elected president of the Republic of Texas.

In 1883, the original Metropolitan Opera House in New York held its grand opening with a performance of Gounod's "Faust."

In 1928, Republican presidential nominee Herbert Hoover spoke of the "American system of rugged individualism" in a speech at New York's Madison Square Garden.

In 1954, West Germany joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

In 1962, President Kennedy announced an air and naval blockade of Cuba, following the discovery of Soviet missile bases on the island.

In 1968, "Apollo Seven" returned safely, splashing down in the Atlantic Ocean.

In 1973, Spanish cellist, conductor and composer Pablo Casals died in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, at age 96.

In 1981, the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization was decertified by the federal government for its strike the previous August.

Ten years ago: President Bush vetoed major civil rights legislation, arguing that the measure would force employers to adopt hiring quotas. (The veto was upheld.)

Five years ago: The largest gathering of world leaders in history marked the 50th anniversary of the United Nations. The Atlanta Braves defeated the Cleveland Indians, 4-to-3, to win the first two games of the World Series. British writer Sir Kingsley Amis died in London at age 73.

One year ago: Five of the seven Republican presidential hopefuls met in New Hampshire for their first debate of the 2000 nomination race, with front-runner George W. Bush notably absent. Former Vichy official Maurice Papon was expelled from Switzerland back to France.

"Happiness is not a horse; you cannot harness it."

-- Russian proverb.