Birth of Robert D. Murphy
Robert Daniel Murphy was born on October 28, 1894, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was an accomplished American diplomat who helped plan the Allied landings in North Africa during World War II.
Government
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Great Basin National Park
On October 27, 1986, Great Basin National Park was established in Nevada. The park protects ancient bristlecone pines, Wheeler Peak Glacier, and more.
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Highway Beautification Act
On October 22, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Highway Beautification Act into law. The law had been spearheaded by his wife, and was even nicknamed after her, called “Lady Bird’s Bill.”
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Battle of Ball’s Bluff
The Civil War Battle of Ball’s Bluff was fought in Loudoun County, Virginia on October 21, 1861. Though a minor battle and loss for the Union, it had some long-lasting effects on the war and some interesting historical connections.
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Ohio River Canalization Stamp
On October 19, 1929, the US Post Office issued a 2¢ commemorative honoring the canalization of the Ohio River. It came as the culmination of over 50 years of work on the project, which was a major engineering feat.
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World Food Day
On October 16, 1945, the United Nations created the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Today, this date is celebrated as World Food Day.
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Renaming the White House
On October 12, 1901, the Executive Mansion, the president’s official residence and workplace, was renamed the White House.
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Birth of Harlan F. Stone
Supreme Court Justice Harlan Fiske Stone was born on October 11, 1872, in Chesterfield, New Hampshire. He served on the court for over 20 years, including over four years as chief justice.
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The Air Mail Scandal of the 1930s
On September 28, 1933, an investigation was launched into the awarding of contracts for airmail flights. The Airmail Fiasco, as it was also known, eventually led to wide-scale improvements to the airline industry and modernization of the Army Air Corps.
