October 1st

Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of Gaugamela.

A $700 billion financial industry bailout won lopsided passage in the Senate, 74-25, after it was loaded with tax breaks and other sweeteners.

The Supreme Court suspended former President Bill Clinton from practicing before the high court.

Polly Klaas, 12, was abducted from her Petaluma, Calif., home during a slumber party and murdered. (Her case inspired California's three-strikes law.).

Siege of Dubrovnik. The Siege of Dubrovnik began during the Croatian War of Independence. On this day, the Yugoslav People's Army started its offensive on Dubrovnik.

Mikhail Gorbachev becomes Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet, effectively head of state of the Soviet Union.

Sony began selling the first commercial compact disc player in Japan.

Muhammad Ali TKOs Joe Frazier in 15 for heavyweight boxing title in "The Thrilla in Manila".

Walt Disney World opened in Orlando, Florida.

The Free Speech Movement was launched at the University of California at Berkeley.

Johnny Carson debuted as regular host of NBC's 'Tonight' show.

Roger Maris of the New York Yankees hit his 61st home run of the season, breaking Babe Ruth's record of 60 set in 1927.

Thalidomide launched. Thalidomide, an anti-nausea drug and sleep-aid, was launched. For about five years it was commonly prescribed to pregnant women as a drug to deal with morning sickness. It was finally withdrawn from the market after it was determined that it caused birth defects.

People's Republic of china is established. Mao Zedong declared the establishment of the People's Republic of China.

Trial of the Major War Criminals end. The Trial of the Major War Criminals part of the Nuremberg trials ended with sentences being passed against several key members of the Nazi party.

Winston Churchill described the Soviet Union as 'a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma' during a radio broadcast.

General Francisco Franco was proclaimed the head of an insurgent Spanish state.

Henry Ford introduced the first mass-produced automobile on the market—the Model T car to the market. Each car cost $825.

The visiting Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Boston Americans 7-3 in the first World Series game.

Karl Marx' "Das Kapital" published.

Opening of the Congress of Vienna, redrew Europe's political map after the defeat of Napoléon Bonaparte.

Spain ceded Louisiana to France in the secret Treaty of San Ildefonso.

Prince Willem III of Orange accepts invitation of take up the British crown.