1989
Disaster
Loma Prieta Earthquake
A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck the San Francisco Bay Area during the World Series, killing 63 people. The quake collapsed a section of the Bay Bridge and caused billions in damage.
On This Day in History
1777
War & Conflict
Battle of Saratoga
American forces defeated the British at Saratoga, New York, in the most important battle of the Revolutionary War. The victory convinced France to enter the war as an American ally.
1931
Politics
Al Capone Convicted
Gangster Al Capone was convicted of income tax evasion and sentenced to 11 years in prison. Federal prosecutors had used his failure to pay taxes to bring down Chicago's most notorious crime boss.
1961
Politics
Paris Massacre of Algerians
French police killed an estimated 200 Algerian protesters in Paris during a peaceful demonstration. The massacre was covered up for decades and remains one of the darkest episodes in modern French history.
1814
Disaster
London Beer Flood
A massive vat of beer at the Meux & Co Brewery burst, releasing over 135,000 gallons of beer that flooded the surrounding streets. The bizarre disaster killed eight people.
1979
Religion
Mother Teresa Wins Nobel Prize
Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her work among the poorest of the poor in Calcutta, India. She had devoted her life to caring for the sick, dying, and destitute.
1973
Politics
OPEC Oil Embargo
Arab members of OPEC declared an oil embargo against the United States and other countries supporting Israel in the Yom Kippur War. The embargo quadrupled oil prices and caused a global energy crisis.