October 10, 1760: In a treaty with the Dutch colonial authorities, the Ndyuka people of Suriname – descended from escaped slaves – became the first of the Suriname Maroons to gain territorial autonomy. Agreements with the Saramacca and Matawai followed in 1762 and 1767.
Born in 1835. Camille Saint-Saëns, French composer and conductor.
Video: Aquarium, from Carnival of the Animals.
Born in 1943: Chevy Chase, American comedian, actor, and screenwriter.
Born in 1952. Vladimir Putin, Russian colonel, politician, and 4th President of Russia.
The Curse of the Billy Goat was placed on the Chicago Cubs on October 6, 1945. Tavern owner “Billy Goat” Sianis bought his goat a seat in Wrigley Field for a World Series game against the Detroit Tigers. Sianis was asked to leave because his pet goat’s odor was bothering other fans. He was outraged and declared, “Them Cubs, they ain’t gonna win no more.” The Cubs have not won a National League pennant since the incident and have not won a World Series since 1908.
Born in 1895: Buster Keaton, American actor, director, and producer.
On Oct. 3, 1990, West Germany and East Germany ended 45 years of postwar division, declaring the creation of a new unified country.
1950 – Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz, is first published.
1962 – First broadcast of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
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