On October 9, 1635, separatist Roger Williams was banished from Massachusetts colony for preaching that civil government had no right to interfere in religious affairs. Read Williams’ Plea for Religious Liberty.
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On October 8, 1895, the future President of Argentina, Juan Peron was born. He would serve two terms before being deposed in a coup in 1955. He was then returned to power in 1973, serving until his death the next year. His policies and personality became the inspiration for the Argentine political movement Peronism. Learn [...]
On October 8, 1934, undocumented German immigrant Bruno Hauptmann was indicted for the murder of flying pioneer Charles Lindbergh’s infant son. Learn more about the case against Hauptmann.
On October 7, 1949, the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) was created, formally dividing the country for the next 41 years.
On October 7, 1963, President John F. Kennedy signed the first nuclear test ban treaty between the United States, Britain and the Soviet Union.
On October 6, 1981, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat was assassinated by militants in retaliation for signing a peace treaty with Israel.
On October 6, 1991, law professor Anita Hill accused Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment, turning his nomination hearings into a national spectacle. Thomas was approved by a full Senate vote of 52-48 on October 15. Read an excerpted version of Hill’s testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on October 11.
On October 5, 1941, US Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis died at the age of 84. Brandeis had become the first Jewish justice on the United States Supreme Court in 1916 after a hotly-contested nomination battle. Learn more about Louis Brandeis from Oyez.
On October 4, 1830, the country of Belgium was born, when the region was separated from The Netherlands. Learn more about the founding of Belgium.
On October 4, 1974, the trial of Watergate conspirators HR Haldeman, John Erlichman, John Mitchell, Robert Mardian, and Kenneth Parkinson began, with Judge John Sirica presiding. Review transcripts of the Watergate tapes played at the outset of their trial.
