October 1, 1962
Johnny Carson takes over as host of The Tonight Show. His first guests were Groucho Marx, Joan Crawford, Mel Brooks, Tony Bennett, and Rudy Vallee.
The previous primary hosts were Steve Allen (1954–57) and Jack Paar (1957–62).
October 2, 1954
Elvis Presley makes his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. Not impressed, the Opry talent manager Jim Denny suggested he go back to driving trucks. Elvis vowed to never again play at the Grand Ole Opry.
October 3, 1995
Football Hall of Fame running back O.J. Simpson is found not guilty for the murders of his ex-wife and her friend Ronald Goldman. The trial was dubbed “The Trial of the Century” due to its immense media coverage. An estimated 100 million people nationwide tuned in to watch or listen to the verdict announcement. No additional arrests or convictions related to the murders have been made.