Today In History

President John F. Kennedy announces a naval blockade of Cuba in a nationally-televised speech on Oct. 22, 1962. (AP Photo)
President John F. Kennedy announces a naval blockade of Cuba in a nationally-televised speech on Oct. 22, 1962. (AP Photo)

Associated Press

On Oct. 22, 1962, President John F. Kennedy announced an air and naval blockade of Cuba, following the discovery of Soviet missile bases on the island.
1746- Princeton University received its charter.
1797- French balloonist Andre-Jacques Garnerin made the first parachute descent, landing safely from a height of about 3,000 feet.
1844- Actress Sarah Bernhardt was born in Paris.
1934- Bank robber Charles “Pretty Boy” Floyd was shot to death by federal agents at a farm in East Liverpool, Ohio.
1954- West Germany joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
1968- Apollo 7, with astronauts Wally Schirra, Donn Fulton Eisele and R. Walter Cunningham aboard, returned to Earth.
1979- The U.S. government allowed the deposed Shah of Iran to travel to New York for medical treatment.
1981- The Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization was decertified by the federal government for its strike the previous August.
2002- A bus driver was shot to death in Aspen Hill, Md., in the 13th and final attack by the Washington-area sniper.
2007 -China’s Communist Party gave President Hu Jintao a second five-year term.

Today’s Birthdays:
New York Yankees outfielder Ichiro Suzuki turns 42 years old today.
Derek Jacobi, Actor, 77
Christopher Lloyd, Actor (“Taxi,” “Back to the Future” movies), 77
Tony Roberts, Actor, 76
Catherine Deneuve, Actress, 72
Haley Barbour, Former governor of Mississippi, 68
Carlos Mencia, Comedian, 48
Shelby Lynne, Country singer, 47
Shaggy, Reggae rapper, 47
Spike Jonze, Director, 46
Saffron Burrows, Actress (“Boston Legal”), 43
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Actor (“Modern Family”), 40
Zac Hanson, Rock musician (Hanson), 30
Actor Jeff Goldblum turns 63 years old today.

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