Days gone by Oct. 30, 2009

Thought for today: Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood — Marie Curie, Polish Nobel Prize-winning chemist (1867-1934).

Today’s birthdays: Richard Brinsley Sheridan, Irish author-politician (1741-1816); Feodor Dostoyevsky, Russian novelist (1821-1881); Ezra Pound, U.S. poet (1885-1972); Louis Malle, French film director (1932-1995); Henry Winkler, U.S. actor (1945--); Diego Maradona, Argentine soccer star (1960--).

Today is: Friday, October 30, the 303rd day of 2009. There are 62 days left in the year.

Highlights in history on this date:
In 1270, the eighth and last Crusade is launched.
In 1697, France signs the Peace of Ryswick, ending the War of the Grand Alliance between France on one side and England, the Netherlands, Spain, the Holy Roman Empire on the other.
In 1817, Simon Bolivar organizes independent government in Venezuela.
In 1888, in London, Jack the Ripper murders his last victim.
In 1918, Czechoslovakia is proclaimed an independent republic.
In 1928, experimental transmission of still photographs by television begins in Britain.
In 1938, the U.S. radio play, “The War of the Worlds,” starring Orson Welles, airs on CBS. The live drama, which employed fake news reports, panicked listeners who thought its portrayal of a Martian invasion was true.