Today in History – October 31

Today is Wednesday, October 31^st. There are 54 days until Christmas.

On this date in 834 A-D, the first All Hallows Eve was observed by all churches to honor the saints.

In 1942, Bing Crosby's hit song "White Christmas" topped the pop singles chart.

In 1964, "Baby Love" by the Supremes topped the pop singles chart.

In 1984, Bruce Springsteen released the single "Born In The U.S.A."

In 1999, all 217 people aboard EgyptAir Flight 990 were killed when the plane crashed off the Massachusetts coast.

In 2008, Michael Jackson made a surprise appearance at a Halloween party which the Dixie Chicks' Natalie Maines hosted at her California home.  Maines said many guests didn't believe it was really him, and noted that, quote, "a couple of people went up to him and told him he had the greatest Michael Jackson costume ever."

Today is Halloween, Caramel Apple Day, and Magic Day, and Knock-Knock Jokes Day.

Newscaster Dan Rather, longtime host of "The CBS Evening News," is 87.

Actor, writer, and voice talent Brian Doyle-Murray is 73.  He was a writer for "Saturday Night Live," and was behind the "Caddyshack" movies.  He also provides voices for various "SpongeBob SquarePants"projects.  He's the brother of actor-comedian Bill Murray.

Newscaster, journalist, and talk show host Jane Pauley is 68.

Football Coach Nick Saban is 67.

Actor-comedian Rob Schneider is 55. His credits include "Saturday Night Live" and the "Deuce Bigalow” movies.

Rapper Vanilla Ice is 51.

Actor Eddie Kaye Thomas from "Scorpion," the "Harold and Kumar" movies and the "American Pie" series is 38.

Pop singer Willow Smith is 18.  (Born 2000)  She's the daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith.