Today in History – October 18
Today is Thursday, October 18. There are 67 days until Christmas.
On this date in 1867, the U.S. took formal possession of Alaska from Russia. America bought the state for seven-point-two-million-dollars.
In 1960, "Spartacus," starring Kirk Douglas and Tony Curtis, opened in theaters across the United States.
In 1975, Simon and Garfunkel reunited for a performance on "Saturday Night Live."
In 1977, New York Yankees slugger Reggie Jackson earned the nickname "Mr. October" by hitting three home against the Dodgers in Game Six of the World Series. The Yankees went on to win the series four-games-to-two.
In 1988, the sitcom "Roseanne" made its debut on ABC.
Today is Chocolate Cupcake Day, No Beard Day, and Get to Know Your Customers Day.
Happy birthday to Actress Dawn Wells, Mary Ann on the sitcom "Gilligan's Island," is 80.
Pro and College Football Hall of Famer Mike Ditka is 79.
Action movie actor Jean-Claude Van Damme is 58.
Actor Zac Efron, from “High School Musical,” Baywatch,” and “Hairspray,” is 31.