Oct 8 1871

Mrs O'Leary's cow starts the Chicago Fire, killing 250 and destroying 17,000 buildings. Bad cow.

Oct 8 1950

Two United States F-80 fighters strafe the Soviet airfield at Sukhaya Rechka, in the vicinity of Vladivostok. The attack, due to a navigational error, prompts no response from the Soviet Union and the U.S. offers to pay compensation.

Oct 8 1957

Jerry Lee Lewis records "Great Balls of Fire". It is uncertain exactly to what he was referring.

Oct 8 1966

Lysergic Acid (LSD) is enrolled on the list of controlled substances.

Oct 8 1981

A package from the Unabomber detonates at the University of Utah; there are no injuries.

Oct 8 1993

Ted Danson appears in blackface at a Friars Club roast. His offensive comments amuse Whoopi Goldberg but the incident becomes a great embarrassment.