TODAY IN HISTORY

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT Oct. 4, 1957

The Space Age began as the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite, into orbit.

ALSO ON THIS DATE 1777

Gen. George Washington’s troops launched an assault on the British at Germantown, Pennsylvania, resulting in heavy American casualties.

1861

During the Civil War, the United States Navy authorized construction of the first ironclad ship, the USS Monitor.

1940

Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini conferred at Brenner Pass in the Alps.

1957

Jimmy Hoffa was elected president of the Teamsters Union.

1959

The Soviet Union launched Luna 3, a space probe which transmitted images of the far side of the moon.

1960

An Eastern Air Lines Lockheed L-188A Electra crashed on takeoff from Boston’s Logan International Airport, killing all but 10 of the 72 people on board.

1970

Rock singer Janis Joplin, 27, was found dead in her Hollywood hotel room.

1989

Triple Crown-winning racehorse Secretariat, suffering a hoof ailment, was humanely destroyed at age 19.