On Oct. 20, 1740, Maria Theresa became ruler of Austria, Hungary and Bohemia upon the death of her father, Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI.

In 1803, the U.S. Senate ratified the Louisiana Purchase.

In 1903, a joint commission ruled in favor of the United States in a boundary dispute between the District of Alaska and Canada.

In 1944, during World War II, Gen. Douglas MacArthur stepped ashore at Leyte in the Philippines, 2½ years after he'd said, "I shall return."

In 1947, the House Un-American Activities Committee opened hearings into alleged Communist influence and infiltration in the U.S. motion picture industry.

In 1964, the 31st president of the United States, Herbert Hoover, died in New York at age 90.

In 1967, seven men were convicted in Meridian, Miss., of violating the civil rights of three slain civil rights workers.

In 1968, former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy married Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis.

In 1973, in the so-called "Saturday Night Massacre," special Watergate prosecutor Archibald Cox was dismissed and Attorney General Elliot L. Richardson and Deputy Attorney General William B. Ruckelshaus resigned.

In 1979, the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum was dedicated in Boston.

Actor William Christopher is 77.

Rockabilly singer Wanda Jackson is 72.

Singer Tom Petty is 59. Actress Melanie Mayron is 57.

Movie director Danny Boyle ("Slumdog Millionaire") is 53.

Actor Viggo Mortensen is 51.

Rock musician Jim Sonefeld (Hootie & The Blowfish) is 45.

Rock musician Doug Eldridge (Oleander) is 42.

Rapper Snoop Dogg is 38. Singer Dannii Minogue is 38.

Actor John Krasinski is 30.

Actress Jennifer Nicole Freeman ("My Wife and Kids") is 24.

"Everybody's private motto: It's better to be popular than right."

-- Mark Twain (1835-1910)