Today in History

Today is Saturday, Oct. 19, the 292nd day of 2013. There are 73 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On Oct. 19, 1987, the stock market crashed as the Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged 508 points, or 22.6 percent in value, to close at 1,738.74.

On this date:

In 1765, the Stamp Act Congress, meeting in New York, drew up a declaration of rights and liberties.

In 1781, British troops under Gen. Lord Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown, Va., as the American Revolution neared its end.

In 1812, French forces under Napoleon Bonaparte began their retreat from Moscow.

In 1864, Confederate Gen. Jubal A. Early attacked Union forces at Cedar Creek, Va.; the Union troops were able to rally and defeat the Confederates.

In 1936, H.R. Ekins of the New York World-Telegram beat out Dorothy Kilgallen of the New York Journal and Leo Kieran of The New York Times in a round-the-world race on commercial flights that lasted 18 1/2 days.

In 1944, the play "I Remember Mama," by John van Druten, opened at the Music Box Theater on Broadway.

In 1951, President Harry S. Truman signed an act formally ending the state of war with Germany.

In 1960, the United States began a limited embargo against Cuba covering all commodities except medical supplies and certain food products.

In 1967, the U.S. space probe Mariner 5 flew past Venus.

In 1977, the supersonic Concorde made its first landing in New York City.

In 1982, automaker John Z. DeLorean was arrested by federal agents in Los Angeles, accused of conspiring to sell $24 million of cocaine to salvage his business. (DeLorean was acquitted at trial on grounds of entrapment.)

In 1994, 22 people were killed as a terrorist bomb shattered a bus in the heart of Tel Aviv's shopping district. Entertainer Martha Raye died in Los Angeles at age 78.

Ten years ago: Pope John Paul II beatified Mother Teresa during a ceremony in St. Peter's Square. Former Bosnian President Alija Izetbegovic died in Sarajevo at age 78. The New York Yankees defeated the Florida Marlins 6-1 to even the World Series at one game apiece. New York magician David Blaine emerged from 44 days of isolation in a clear plastic box suspended over London.

Five years ago: Retired Gen. Colin Powell, a Republican who was President George W. Bush's first secretary of state, broke with the party and endorsed Democrat Barack Obama for president, calling him a "transformational figure" during an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press." The Tampa Bay Rays held off the defending champion Boston Red Sox 3-1 to win the American League championship series in Game 7. Mr. Blackwell, the acerbic designer famous for his annual worst-dressed list of celebrities, died in Los Angeles at age 86.

One year ago: The Dow Jones industrial average had its worst day in four months, falling 205 points, or 1.5 percent, to 13,344. The Standard & Poor's 500 lost 24, or 1.7 percent, to 1,433. And the Nasdaq composite index dropped 67 points to 3,006. The San Francisco Giants cut the Cardinals' lead in the National League Championship Series to 3-2 with a 5-0 victory over St. Louis.

Today's Birthdays: Former U.S. ambassador to Russia Robert S. Strauss is 95. Author John le Carre (luh kah-RAY') is 82. Artist Peter Max is 76. Author and critic Renata Adler is 75. Actor Michael Gambon is 73. Actor John Lithgow is 68. Feminist activist Patricia Ireland is 68. Singer Jeannie C. Riley is 68. Rock singer-musician Patrick Simmons (The Doobie Brothers) is 65. Talk show host Charlie Chase is 61. Rock singer-musician Karl Wallinger (World Party) is 56. Former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele is 55. Singer Jennifer Holliday is 53. Boxer Evander Holyfield is 51. TV host Ty Pennington ("Extreme Makeover: Home Edition") is 49. Rock singer-musician Todd Park Mohr (Big Head Todd and the Monsters) is 48. Actor Jon Favreau is 47. Amy Carter is 46. "South Park" co-creator Trey Parker is 44. Comedian Chris Kattan is 43. Rock singer Pras Michel (The Fugees) is 41. Actor Omar Gooding is 37. Country singer Cyndi Thomson is 37. Writer-director Jason Reitman is 36. Actor Benjamin Salisbury is 33. Actress Gillian Jacobs is 31.

Thought for Today: "To become aware of the possibility of the search is to be onto something." -- Walker Percy, American author (1916-1990).

Copyright 2013, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.