Today in 1885, special delivery mail service began in the United States.

Today in 1903, the first World Series game was played. The Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Boston Americans (now the Red Sox) 7 to 3 in Boston. The Americans rebounded over the next few days and won the series 5 games to 3.

Today in 1907, the first metered taxis arrived in New York City….and in the U.S.

Today in 1908, Henry Ford introduced the Model T at a cost of $850.

Today in 1926, Babe Ruth promised a terminally ill boy he'd hit a homer for him that day. He did it, and the boy – Johnny Sylvester – miraculously got better. He also lived until he was 74.

Today in 1955, "The Honeymooners," starring Jackie Gleason and Art Carney, first premiered. The show had its beginnings in a popular variety show skit called "The Honeymooners," which first aired in 1950.

Today in 1962, Johnny Carson took over hosting duties on “The Tonight Show.” His first guests were Joan Crawford, Tony Bennett, Rudy Valee, Mel Brooks and Groucho Marx.

Today in 1962, "The Merv Griffin Show" officially premiered on NBC. The afternoon talk show later went into syndication, and continued until 1969, when Merv left to host a late-night show on CBS.

Today in 1971, Walt Disney World opened in Orlando, Florida.

Today in 1980, “Ladies’ Home Journal” startled readers were startled to see Robert Redford on the magazine’s cover. It had taken 97 years for the magazine to change its “no men on the cover” policy.

Today in 1982, "Remington Steele," the show that made Pierce Brosnan a household name, first debuted on NBC.

Today in 1987, the Whittier Narrows earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale rocked Los Angeles.

Today in 1993, an intruder abducted 12-year-old Polly Klaas from her home in Petaluma, California. Her body was found sixty-five days later. Her kidnapper remains death row in California's San Quentin State Prison. You can learn more about Polly's case by watching the FBI Files

Today in 1994, the National Hockey League team owners began a 103-day lockout of their players.

Today in 1998, Darryl Strawberry of the New York Yankees was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor on his colon. After treatment, Strawberry returned to the game.

Today in 1998, the film, “A Night at the Roxbury,” starring “SNL’s” Will Ferrell and Chris Kattan opened in theaters nationwide.

Today in 2001, San Francisco's Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to ban Internet filters designed to keep pornography away from children at city libraries. The board left the decision up to the Library Commission to decide whether to install filtering software in children's areas. A federal law in the U.S. mandated the use of the filters.

Today in 2004, Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki got his 258th hit of the season, breaking George Sisler’s 84-year-old single-season record. He also scored his 100th run of the season.

Today in 2012, California became the first US state to ban conversion therapy for minors.

Today in 2013, a partial United States federal government shutdown occurred as a result of political disagreements over operational spending.

Today in 2015, a gunman killed students and a teacher at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon. After being injured by police, the shooter took his own life.

Today in 2015, a mudslide on the outskirts of Guatemala City leaves at least 280 dead and nearly 100 missing.

Today in 2015, the NY Yankees recorded the 10,000th win in their illustrious history, and also clinch wild card slot.

Today in 2017, the deadliest mass shooting in American history took place as 58 people were killed and 489 were injured at the Route 91 Harvest concert in Las Vegas. Conspiracy theories aside, a motive is still not known.

Today in 2018, The United States, Mexico and Canada agree a new trade deal to replace NAFTA.

Today in 2018, American health officials confirmed that more than 80-thousand Americans died of the flu during 2017-2018 winter, the highest tally in ten years.

Today in 2019, the law allowing teachers to carry guns in schools went into effect in Florida.

Today in 2019, former Dallas police Officer Amber Guyger was found guilty of murdering her Black neighbor in his apartment in landmark case on the use of police force and racial bias.

Today in 2019, then-Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders was taken to hospital amid chest pain – it was later revealed that he’d had a heart attack.

Papa Keith