October 17: Loma Prieta earthquake shakes California

Today is Thursday, October 17th, the 291st day of 2024. There are 75 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On October 17, 1989, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Northern California, killing 63 people and causing up to $10 billion in damage.

Also on this date:

In 1777, British troops under General John Burgoyne surrendered to American troops at Saratoga, New York, at a turning point in the Revolutionary War.

In 1931, Chicago gangster Al Capone was convicted of tax evasion; he would be sentenced to 11 years in prison.

In 1933, Albert Einstein came to the USA as a refugee from Nazi Germany.

In 1967, Puyi, the last emperor of China, died in Beijing at the age of 61.

In 1979, Mother Teresa of India was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

In 1989, Game 3 of the World Series was canceled because the Loma Prieta earthquake struck Northern California just 30 minutes before game time at Candlestick Park in San Francisco; The game would eventually be played 10 days later.

In 2018, residents of the Florida Panhandle community of Mexico Beach who had fled Hurricane Michael a week earlier returned to find their homes, businesses and mobile homes blown to pieces; The storm killed at least 59 people and caused more than $25 billion in damage in Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas and Virginia.

Today's birthdays:

Singer Gary Puckett is 82.
The actor and musician Michael McKean is 77.
Actor George Wendt is 76.
Astronaut Mae Jemison is 68.
Country singer Alan Jackson is 66.
Film critic Richard Roeper is 65.
Film director Rob Marshall is 64.
Animator Mike Judge is 62 years old.
Reggae singer Ziggy Marley is 56.
Actor Wood Harris is 55.
The musician Wyclef Jean (zhahn) is 55.
Golf Hall of Famer Ernie Els is 55.
Singer Chris Kirkpatrick ('N Sync) is 53.
Rapper Eminem is 52.
Actor Matthew Macfadyen is 50.
Actress Felicity Jones is 41.

Today in history:

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