TODAY IN HISTORY

THURSDAY OCT 7, 2021 2001

The war in Afghanistan started as the United States and Britain launched air attacks against military targets and Osama bin Laden’s training camps in the wake of the September 11attacks.

1765

The Stamp Act Congress convened in New York to draw up colonial grievances against England.

1849

Author Edgar Allan Poe died in Baltimore at age 40.

1910

A major wildfire devastated the northern Minnesota towns of Spooner and Baudette, charring at least 300,000 acres; some 40 people are believed to have died.

1949

The Republic of East Germany was formed.

1954

Marian Anderson became the first Black singer hired by the Metropolitan Opera Company in New York.

1985

Palestinian gunmen hijacked the Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro in the Mediterranean.

1991

University of Oklahoma law professor Anita Hill publicly accused Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas of making sexually inappropriate comments when she worked for him; Thomas denied Hill’s allegations.

1992

Trade representatives of the United States, Canada and Mexico initialed the North American Free Trade Agreement during a ceremony in San Antonio, Texas, in the presence of President George H.W. Bush, Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and Mexican President Carlos Salinas de Gortari.

1996

Fox News Channel made its debut.

1998

Matthew Shepard, a gay college student, was beaten and left tied to a wooden fencepost outside of Laramie, Wyoming; he died five days later.

2003

California voters recalled Gov. Gray Davis and elected Arnold Schwarzenegger their new governor.

TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS

Retired South African Archbishop and Nobel Peace laureate Desmond Tutu is 90. Author Thomas Keneally is

86. Comedian Joy Behar is

79. Former National Security Council aide Lt. Col. Oliver North (ret.) is 78. Rock musician Kevin Godley (10cc) is 76. Actor Jill Larson is 74.