October 31st

Today's Highlight in History:
On October 31st, 1517, Martin Luther posted the 95 Theses on the door of the Wittenberg Palace church, marking the start of the Protestant Reformation in Germany.

On this date:
In 1795, English poet John Keats was born in London.

In 1864, Nevada became the 36th state.

In 1926, magician Harry Houdini died in Detroit of gangrene and peritonitis resulting from a ruptured appendix.

In 1941, the US Navy destroyer "Reuben James" was torpedoed by a German U-boat off Iceland with the loss of 115 lives, even though the United States had not yet entered World War Two.

In 1956, Rear Admiral G.J. Dufek became the first person to land an airplane at the South Pole.

In 1959, a former US Marine from Fort Worth, Texas, announced in Moscow that he would never return to the United States. His name: Lee Harvey Oswald.

In 1968, President Johnson ordered a halt to all U-S bombing of North Vietnam, saying he hoped for fruitful peace negotiations.

In 1980, Reza Pahlavi, eldest son of the late shah, proclaimed himself the rightful successor to the Peacock Throne.

In 1984, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two Sikh (seek) security guards.

In 1994, a Chicago-bound American Eagle ATR-72 crashed in northern Indiana, killing all 68 people aboard.

Ten years ago: During a campaign swing in suburban Washington, President Bush said "I have had it" with the way Iraq was treating American diplomats and hostages, but added he had no timetable for deciding on a possible military strike.

Five years ago: Stung by defeat in the secession referendum, Quebec Premier Jacques Parizeau said he would resign as head of the bitterly divided province at year's end.

One year ago: EgyptAir Flight 990 crashed off the Massachusetts coast, killing all 217 people aboard.

"An old error is always more popular than a new truth."

-- German proverb.