TODAY IN HISTORY [15th October]

Lead Story

Mata Hari executed, 1917

American Revolution

British retreat from Middleburgh, 1780

Automotive

"Funeral coaches" exempted from car-seat law, 2004

Civil War

Confederate submarine sinks during tests, 1863

Cold War

Mikhail Gorbachev wins Nobel Peace Prize, 1990

Crime

A murderous husband is executed, 1948

Disaster

Hurricane Hazel hits the Carolinas and Ontario, 1954

General Interest

Vichy leader executed for treason, 1945

Gretzky breaks scoring record, 1989

Thomas confirmed to the Supreme Court, 1991

Hollywood

Drew Carey debuts as new host of The Price is Right, 2007

Literary

P.G. Wodehouse is born, 1881

Moneyball author Michael Lewis is born, 1960

Music

Duke Ellington records his first big hit, "Mood Indigo", 1930

Old West

Chiricahua Apache leader Victorio is killed south of El Paso, Texas, 1880

Presidential

Gerald Ford marries Elizabeth Bloomer, 1948

Sports

Wayne Gretzky breaks NHL points record, 1989

Vietnam War

First draft card burned, 1965

Operation Attleboro continues in Tay Ninh Province, 1966

National Moratorium demonstrations held across the United States, 1969

World War I

Mata Hari is executed, 1917

World War II

Herman Goering dies, 1946