Today in History

Today is Tuesday, Oct. 16, the 290th day of 2012. There are 76 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On Oct. 16, 1962, President John F. Kennedy was informed by national security adviser McGeorge Bundy that reconnaissance photographs had revealed the presence of missile bases in Cuba.

On this date:

In 1793, during the French Revolution, Marie Antoinette, the queen of France, was beheaded.

In 1859, radical abolitionist John Brown led a group of 21 men in a raid on Harpers Ferry in western Virginia. (Ten of Brown's men were killed and five escaped. Brown and six followers ended up being captured; all were executed.)

In 1901, Booker T. Washington dined at the White House as the guest of President Theodore Roosevelt, whose invitation to the black educator sparked controversy.

In 1912, the Boston Red Sox won the World Series, defeating the New York Giants in Game 8, 3-2 (Game 2 had ended in a tie on account of darkness).

In 1942, the ballet "Rodeo", with music by Aaron Copland and choreography by Agnes de Mille, premiered at New York's Metropolitan Opera House.

In 1943, Chicago Mayor Edward J. Kelly officially opened the city's new subway system during a ceremony at the State and Madison street station.

In 1952, the Charles Chaplin film "Limelight" premiered in London.

In 1962, the New York Yankees won the World Series, defeating the San Francisco Giants in Game 7 at Candlestick Park, 1-0.

In 1972, a twin-engine plane carrying U.S. House Majority Leader Hale Boggs, D-La., and U.S. Rep. Nick Begich, D-Alaska, disappeared while flying over a remote region of Alaska; the aircraft was never found.

In 1978, the College of Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church chose Cardinal Karol Wojtyla to be the new pope; he took the name John Paul II.

In 1987, a 58-1/2-hour drama in Midland, Texas, ended happily as rescuers freed Jessica McClure, an 18-month-old girl trapped in an abandoned well.

In 1991, a deadly shooting rampage took place in Killeen, Texas, as George Hennard opened fire at a Luby's Cafeteria, killing 23 people before taking his own life.

Ten years ago: President George W. Bush signed a congressional resolution authorizing war against Iraq. The White House announced that North Korea had disclosed it had a nuclear weapons program.

Five years ago: President George W. Bush welcomed the Dalai Lama to the White House for a half-hour meeting. Libya won a seat on the U.N. Security Council. Actress Deborah Kerr died in Suffolk, England, at age 86. Barbara West Dainton, believed to be the next-to-last survivor from the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912, died in Camborne, England, at age 96.

One year ago: The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial was formally dedicated in Washington, D.C. Dan Wheldon, 33, died in a fiery 15-car wreck in the Las Vegas Indy 300. Danell Leyva became the first American man gymnast to win a gold medal at the World Championships since 2003, taking the parallel bars title in Tokyo. The St. Louis Cardinals captured their 18th NL pennant with a 12-6 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 6.

Today's Birthdays: Actress Angela Lansbury is 87. Author Gunter Grass is 85. Actor-producer Tony Anthony is 75. Actor Barry Corbin is 72. Sportscaster Tim McCarver is 71. Rock musician C.F. Turner (Bachman-Turner Overdrive) is 69. Actress Suzanne Somers is 66. Rock singer-musician Bob Weir is 65. Producer-director David Zucker is 65. Record company executive Jim Ed Norman is 64. Actor Daniel Gerroll is 61. Actor Morgan Stevens is 61. Actress Martha Smith is 60. Comedian-actor Andy Kindler is 56. Actor-director Tim Robbins is 54. Actor-musician Gary Kemp is 53. Singer-musician Bob Mould is 52. Actor Randy Vasquez is 51. Rock musician Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers) is 50. Actor Todd Stashwick is 44. Jazz musician Roy Hargrove is 43. Actress Terri J. Vaughn is 43. Singer Wendy Wilson (Wilson Phillips) is 43. Rapper B-Rock (B-Rock and the Bizz) is 41. Rock singer Chad Gray (Mudvayne) is 41. Actress Kellie Martin is 37. Singer John Mayer is 35. Actor Jeremy Jackson is 32. Actress Caterina Scorsone is 32. Actress Brea Grant is 31.

Thought for Today: "To walk into history is to be free at once, to be at large among people." -- Elizabeth Bowen, Irish-born author (1899-1973).

Copyright 2012, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.