Kerry Byrne

Illusionist Harry Houdini, who stunned audiences with his death-defying escape act, died on this date in history, Oct. 31, 1926. The cause of death was peritonitis, caused by a ruptured appendix.

President Theodore Roosevelt was born in New York City on Oct. 27, 1858, and went on to live a giant life as war hero and youngest U.S. president, with a legacy that still impacts the nation.

The Erie Canal opened Oct. 26, 1825 and proved one of the most successful public works projects in American history, reshaping large swaths of the national economy.

Imperial Japan sent its first wave of kamikaze suicide planes to the U.S. Navy off the coast of the Philippines on Oct. 25, 1944. Thousands were killed in the attacks by war's end.

The transcontinental telegraph was completed on Oct. 24, 1861, making possible instant communication between the coasts possible for the first time. It rendered the Pony Express obsolete.

The USS Constitution was launched on Oct. 21, 1797, in Boston on this day in history. She went on to a legendary career in naval warfare, earning the famous moniker Old Ironsides.

Three members of the legendary rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, including lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, and three other people, were killed in a plane crash on this day in history, Oct. 20, 1977.

Founding Father John Jay took his oaths as first chief justice of the Supreme Court on this day in history, Oct. 19, 1789. He served less than six years before resigning at age 49.

Edward W. Bullard invented the hard hat in 1919, then patented it in 1929. It's credited with saving lives on job sites while also becoming a symbol of working-class America.

The United States formally secured the acquisition of the vast Alaska territory from Russia on Oct. 18, 1867. The data is celebrated as Alaska Day and is a statewide holiday today.

The Texas Rangers, a legendary law enforcement agency, was formally proposed after more than a decade of "ranging" across the frontier to protect settlers, on Oct. 17, 1835.

Theodore Roosevelt survived an assassination attempt during a campaign stop in Milwaukee on Oct. 14, 1912. He then delivered an 84-minute speech after he was shot in the chest.

The cornerstone of the White House was laid under the supervision of President George Washington on this day in history, Oct. 13, 1792. John Adams was first president to live there.

The USS Cole was attacked by al Qaeda at port in Yemen on Oct. 12, 2000, killing 17 sailors and wounding dozens of others. It proved a portent of the 9/11 attacks 11 months later.

Washington Irving was born in New York City in 1783, just 18 months after his namesake George Washington led America to independence with victory over the British at Yorktown.

The Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 11, 1890 as a nonprofit, non-political patriotic women's service organization.

The U.S. Naval Academy, known for its first five years as the Naval School, was founded on Oct. 10, 1845 after a planned mutiny aboard U.S. Navy brig Somers. It's the only mutiny in Navy history.

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, led by legendary coach John Heisman, routed Cumberland College 222-0 in the most lopsided game in college football history on Oct. 7, 1916.

American chefs fear that a disease spreading across pig farms in Italy will lead to a cold-cut and prosciutto shortage and force them to remake their menus.

A firehouse that starred in 1984 hit film "Ghostbusters" is now a NYC tourist attraction after FDNY Ladder 8 adopted the movie's spooky-cute ghost as its unit icon.

"The Jazz Singer" starring Al Jolson, the first movie with talking actors, was released on this day in history, Oct. 6, 1927. The cinema landmark caused a sensation.

General William Henry Harrison led Americans to victory in the Battle of the Thames on this day in history, Oct. 5, 1813, routing the British and Native forces led by Shawnee chief Tecumseh.

Noah Webster was the patriot armed with a pen. He defined 12,000 new words in the wake of the American Revolution, using language to establish a new national identity.

Sculptor Gutzon Borglum began carving the images of four U.S. presidents into Mount Rushmore on Oct. 4, 1927. The effort employed 400 people and took 14 years to complete.

President Abe Lincoln issued his powerful Thanksgiving proclamation on Oct. 3, 1863, asking Americans to set aside the last Thursday of November to praise "our beneficent Father."

George Washington's men hung a 65-ton chain across the Hudson River in New York to protect West Point during the American Revolution. Remnants of the chain can be seen by tourists.

Babe Ruth swatted his then-record 60th home run on Sept. 30, 1927. His total has since been surpassed by other players, but his achievement has only grown in stature across the decades.

Gene Autry, the "singing cowboy" and multimedia star credited with popularizing country-western music, was born on Sept. 29, 1907. Autry also founded the Los Angeles Angels baseball team.

New Hampshire homesteader, author and influencer Michelle Visser touts a chicory tea as the "perfect, all natural" alternative to decaffeinated coffee, which is chemically processed.

The Siege of Yorktown, Virginia, began on this day in history, Sept. 28, 1781. Surrounded by Washington's army and French allies by both land and sea, the British realized their cause was hopeless.