Today is Monday, October 15th, the 288th day of the year. There are 77 days until the end of the year.
On this day:
In 1914, the Clayton Act was enacted, giving organized labor the right to strike and picket.
In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge declared the Statue of Liberty a national monument.
In 1939, the New York Municipal Airport was dedicated. The facility was later renamed LaGuardia Airport.
In 1949, the Reverend Billy Graham began his ministry.
In 1951, "I Love Lucy" starring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz premiered on CBS-TV.
In 1954, "Rin Tin Tin" debuts on ABC Television.
In 1969, Millions of peace demonstrators staged activities across the country, including a candlelight march around the White House, as part of a moratorium against the Vietnam War.
In 1973, the Who released the album, "Quadrophenia."
In 1977, Debby Boone topped the charts with the song, "You Light Up My Life."
In 1989, Wayne Gretzky surpassed Gordie Howe as the highest scorer in National Hockey League history.
In 1991, despite the charges of sexual harassment brought by Anita Hill, Clarence Thomas was confirmed as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, 52-48. It was the narrowest margin in nearly a century. At the age of 43, Thomas became the first black conservative and the youngest to be confirmed.
In 1993, Nelson Mandela and F.W. de Klerk were named winners of the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to end apartheid.
In 2003, a Staten Island Ferry collided with a pier on the New York island as it was attempting to dock. At least ten people were killed and dozens of others injured.
In 2007, comedian-actor Drew Carey made his debut as host of the long-running CBS game show "The Price Is Right."
In 2008, 87-year-old former First Lady Nancy Reagan was hospitalized in Los Angeles for a broken pelvis suffered during a fall at her home. On the same day, Vice President Dick Cheney underwent a procedure at George Washington University Hospital to correct an abnormal heart rhythm detected during a visit with his doctors.
In 2009, Colorado authorities and military personnel were dispatched to track a helium-filled balloon, mistakenly believed to have lifted off with a six-year-old boy inside. When the balloon landed, authorities quickly discovered there was no one inside the flying-saucer-like balloon. The child was found hiding inside a cardboard box in the attic of his parents' house in Fort Collins.