Interesting things that happened October 20th:

Birthdays on this date:

• In 1632 Sir Christopher Wren, astronomer, greatest English architect of his time, built many of the cathedrals in London.
• In 1812 Austin Flint, 19th century pioneer in US heart research
• In 1819 Mirza Ali Mohammad (The Bab), forerunner of Baha'Ullah
• In 1823 Thomas Hughes, British author (Tom Brown's School Days)
• In 1854 Arthur Rimbaud, French poet, adventurer (Illuminations)
• In 1859 John Dewey, philosopher (Pragmatism co-founder), education reformer
• In 1874 Charles Ives, composer (The Unanswered Question)
• In 1882 Bela Lugosi, horror actor (Dracula, Body Snatcher)
• In 1900 Wayne Morse, US Senator (OR: 1945-52(R), 52-54(Ind), 55-69(D))
• In 1908 Arlene Francis (in Boston, Mass), actor, game-show panelist
• In 1911 Will Rogers, Jr., actor, comedian
• In 1923 Herschel Bernardi, actor (Arnie)
• In 1925 Art Buchwald, humorist
• In 1928 Joyce Brothers, doctor
• In 1931 Mickey Mantle, NY Yankee, home run slugger
• In 1932 Roosevelt Brown, NFL offensive tackle (NY Giants, 1953-65)
  + William Christopher, actor (M*A*S*H; Gomer Pyle, USMC; Hogan's Heroes)
• In 1935 Jerry Orbach, actor (Law & Order, The Fantasticks, Chicago)
• In 1937 Juan Marichal, baseball player
• In 1950 Tom Petty, musician
  + Finola Hughes, actor (General Hospital)
• In 1952 Melanie Mayron, actor (thirtysomething)
• In 1953 Keith Hernandez, baseball player (Cardinals, Mets, Indians)

Events worth noting:

• + Feast of St. John Cantius, Confessor and St. Bertilla Boscardin
  + Orionid meteor shower, radiant in Orion.
• In 1600 Battle of Sekigahara, which established the Tokugawa clan as fuedal rulers of Japan (Shogun) until 1865 (provided the basis of James Clavell's novel).
• In 1740 Maria Theresa became ruler of Austria, Hungary and Bohemia.
• In 1803 Senate ratifies Louisiana Purchase.
• In 1813 Kingdom of Westphalia abolished.
• In 1817 The first "Showboat" leaves Nashville, Tennessee to give shows along the Mississippi. It is a converted keelboat.
• In 1818 U.S. and Britain agree to joint control of Oregon country.
• In 1820 Spain sells (east) Florida to US for $5 million.
• In 1903 U.S. wins disputed boundary between the District of Alaska and Canada.
• In 1906 Dr. Lee DeForest gives a demonstration of his radio tube.
• In 1929 Bayshore Highway opens (San Francisco).
• In 1944 During WWII, MacArthur leads US forces landing at Leyte, Phillipines stating "I have returned."
• In 1946 Frank Seno returns kickoff 105 yd, Chicago Cards vs. N.Y. Giants.
• In 1947 The House Un-American Activities Committee opens hearings into alleged Communist influence in the Hollywood movie industry.
• In 1960 First fully mechanized post office opened, Providence, RI
  + Ralph Houk replaces Casey Stengel as Yankee manager.
• In 1964 31st president of US, Herbert Hoover, died in NY at age 90.
• In 1968 Jacqueline Kennedy marries Aristotle Onassis.
• In 1972 Harlow Shapley, discoverer of the sun's position in the galaxy, dies.
• In 1973 Saturday Night Massacre - Nixon orders firing of Watergate prosecutor Archibald Cox. Attorney General Richardson refuses, then resigns; Deputy Attorney General Ruckelshaus refuses and is fired. Cox is ultimately dismissed by Solicitor General Robert Bork.
• In 1976 70 die as Norwegian tanker Frosta collides with George Prince.
• In 1979 John F. Kennedy Library dedicated in Boston.
• In 1982 Billy Martin fired as manager of the Oakland A's.
• In 1984 Islander's Mike Bossy's 30th career hat trick - 4 goals.
• In 1987 Bernhard Goetz sentenced to six months in jail.

And remember ...

• Down's Syndrome Awareness Month
• National Apple Jack Month
• National Liver Awareness Month
• National Roller Skating Month
• National Depression Awareness Month