New York City Subway October 27, 1904 The first section the New York City Subway system opens. It was the world's first underground and underwater subway.

Pac-Man October 26, 1980 The video arcade game Pac-Man is released in the U.S. It had been released in Japan the previous May as Puck-Man. The game was developed to appeal to women as well as men, because most video games of the time had traditionally masculine interests, such as war or sports. Some changes were made f...

Bombing of U.S. Marine Barracks in Beirut October 23, 1983 Two truck bombs strike separate buildings housing Multinational Force in Lebanon (MNF) peacekeepers, specifically targeting United States and French service members, killing 241 U.S. and 58 French peacekeepers, 6 civilians, and the 2 suicide attackers. This was...

Houdini Fatally Punched in Stomach October 22, 1926 The famous magician Harry Houdini is struck four times by a college student challenging his ability to withstand blows to the stomach. Houdini, who was unprepared for the attack and had acute appendicitis, died nine days later. Houdini was famous for his ability to ta...

World War II - Rickenbacker's Plane Goes Down October 21, 1942 U.S. Navy pilot Eddie Rickenbacker's plane goes down in the South Pacific. He and two of his crew drifted on a raft for three weeks before they were rescued. Rickenbacker, with 26 aerial victories in World War I and known as "The Ace of Aces", was...