on this day

On This Day

October 22, 1975

Gay sergeant challenges the Air Force

Air Force Sergeant Leonard Matlovich, a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War, is given a “general” discharge by the air force after publicly declaring his homosexuality. Matlovich, who appeared in his air force uniform on the cover of Time magazine above the headline “I AM A HOMOSEXUAL,” was challenging the ban against homosexuals in the U.S. military.

In 1979, after winning a much-publicized case against the air force, his discharge was upgraded to “honorable.” In 1988, Matlovich died at the age of 44 of complications from AIDS. He was buried with full military honors at the Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C. His tombstone reads, “A gay Vietnam Veteran. When I was in the military they gave me a medal for killing two men and a discharge for loving one.”

On This Day

October 21, 1959 – On this day in 1959, on New York City‘s Fifth Avenue, thousands of people line up outside a bizarrely shaped white concrete building that resembled a giant upside-down cupcake. It was opening day at the new Guggenheim Museum, home to one of the world’s top collections of contemporary art.

On This Day

October 20, 1968: 21-year-old Oregonian Dick Fosbury wins gold—and sets an Olympic record—when he high-jumps 7 feet 4 1/4 inches at the Mexico City Games. It was the first American victory in the event since 1956. It was also the international debut of Fosbury’s unique jumping style, known as the “Fosbury Flop.”

On This Day

October 19, 1814 – In Baltimore, MD, the first documented performance of “The Defence of Fort McHenry” with music took place at the Holliday Street Theatre. The work was later published under the title “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

On This Day

October 18, 1867 – The U.S. formally takes possession of Alaska after purchasing the territory from Russia for $7.2 million, or less than two cents an acre. The Alaska purchase comprised 586,412 square miles, about twice the size of Texas, and was championed by William Henry Seward, the enthusiasticly expansionist secretary of state under President Andrew Johnson.

On This Day

October 17, 1979 – Mother Teresa of India was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

On This Day

October 16, 1958 – Chevrolet begins to sell a car-truck hybrid that it calls the El Camino.

On This Day

October 15, 1951 – “I Love Lucy” premiered on CBS-TV.

On This Day

October 14, 1957 – One of the most important and influential groups in the history of rock and roll, the Everly Brothers burst onto the music scene in 1957. Their first big hit, “Bye Bye Love”, was quickly followed with their first #1 song, “Wake Up Little Susie,” which topped the Billboard pop chart on this day in music history.

On This Day

October 13, 1950 – James Stewart stars in Harvey, a drama about an eccentric man whose best friend is a giant invisible rabbit.

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