Today in History: Oct. 18

In 1898, the American flag was raised in Puerto Rico shortly before Spain formally relinquished control of the island to the U.S. (iStock/Thinkstock)
FILE - In this 1932 file photo, boxer Jack Johnson, the first black world heavyweight champion, poses in New York City.  A Texas Gulf Coast home where Johnson once lived has been heavily damaged in a fire.
The blaze caused a wall to collapse in the vacant home Friday, April 5, 2019 in Galveston, Texas. Fire Chief Mike Wisko said that the building was in the process of being renovated. (AP Photo/File)
In 1912, black boxer Jack Johnson was arrested in Chicago, accused of violating the Mann Act because of his relationship with his white girlfriend, Lucille Cameron. (The case collapsed when Cameron refused to cooperate, but Johnson was later re-arrested and convicted on the testimony of a former mistress, Belle Schreiber.) In this 1932 file photo, boxer Jack Johnson, the first black world heavyweight champion, poses in New York City. (AP Photo/File)
Thomas A. Edison poses with the the tin-foil phonograph, which he exhibited at the National Academy of Science in Washington and later demonstrated for the president at the White House, on April 18, 1878.  The phonograph, Edison's favorite invention, was invented on Aug. 12, 1877.  (AP Photo)
In 1931, inventor Thomas Alva Edison died in West Orange, New Jersey, at age 84. (AP Photo)
Richard Beymer and Natalie Wood as the star-crossed lovers in the film "West Side Story", Oct. 1961.  (AP Photo)
In 1961, the movie musical “West Side Story,” starring Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer, premiered in New York, the film’s setting. Richard Beymer and Natalie Wood as the star-crossed lovers in the film “West Side Story”, Oct. 1961. (AP Photo)
Michael Sveda, discover of cyclamates, expounds on their safety in Washington, D.C., on March 24, 1975. (AP Photo/JD)
In 1969, the federal government banned artificial sweeteners known as cyclamates (SY’-kluh-maytz) because of evidence they caused cancer in laboratory rats. Michael Sveda, discover of cyclamates, expounds on their safety in Washington, D.C., on March 24, 1975. (AP Photo/JD)
Two unidentified persons stand in the doorway of a hijacked Lufthansa 737 jet parked at Dubai airport Oct. 17, 1977. The jet was hijacked by West German terrorists with 91 hostages aboard. The plane later flew to Mogadishu in Somalia where it was freed in an Entabbe-like attack by West German troops.  (AP Photo)
On Oct. 18, 1977, West German commandos stormed a hijacked Lufthansa jetliner on the ground in Mogadishu, Somalia, freeing all 86 hostages and killing three of the four hijackers. Two unidentified persons stand in the doorway of a hijacked Lufthansa 737 jet parked at Dubai airport Oct. 17, 1977. The jet was hijacked by West German terrorists with 91 hostages aboard. (AP Photo)
Sixteen-year-old Jessica Watson works with the rigging as she sails past the finish line at the entrance to Sydney Harbour in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, May 15, 2010, capping off a nearly 23,000 nautical mile voyage that many thought she wouldn't survive. Watson, from Buderim, Queensland, sailed out of Sydney on Oct. 18, despite protests from critics who said the trek was far too treacherous for someone so young. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)
Ten years ago: Jessica Watson, a 16-year-old Australian, steered her bright pink yacht out of Sydney Harbor to start her bid to become the youngest person to sail solo and unassisted around the world. (She succeeded, returning to Sydney Harbor in May 2010.) Sixteen-year-old Jessica Watson works with the rigging as she sails past the finish line at the entrance to Sydney Harbour in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, May 15, 2010, capping off a nearly 23,000 nautical mile voyage that many thought she wouldn’t survive. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)
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FILE - In this 1932 file photo, boxer Jack Johnson, the first black world heavyweight champion, poses in New York City.  A Texas Gulf Coast home where Johnson once lived has been heavily damaged in a fire.
The blaze caused a wall to collapse in the vacant home Friday, April 5, 2019 in Galveston, Texas. Fire Chief Mike Wisko said that the building was in the process of being renovated. (AP Photo/File)
Thomas A. Edison poses with the the tin-foil phonograph, which he exhibited at the National Academy of Science in Washington and later demonstrated for the president at the White House, on April 18, 1878.  The phonograph, Edison's favorite invention, was invented on Aug. 12, 1877.  (AP Photo)
Richard Beymer and Natalie Wood as the star-crossed lovers in the film "West Side Story", Oct. 1961.  (AP Photo)
Michael Sveda, discover of cyclamates, expounds on their safety in Washington, D.C., on March 24, 1975. (AP Photo/JD)
Two unidentified persons stand in the doorway of a hijacked Lufthansa 737 jet parked at Dubai airport Oct. 17, 1977. The jet was hijacked by West German terrorists with 91 hostages aboard. The plane later flew to Mogadishu in Somalia where it was freed in an Entabbe-like attack by West German troops.  (AP Photo)
Sixteen-year-old Jessica Watson works with the rigging as she sails past the finish line at the entrance to Sydney Harbour in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, May 15, 2010, capping off a nearly 23,000 nautical mile voyage that many thought she wouldn't survive. Watson, from Buderim, Queensland, sailed out of Sydney on Oct. 18, despite protests from critics who said the trek was far too treacherous for someone so young. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)
Two unidentified persons stand in the doorway of a hijacked Lufthansa 737 jet parked at Dubai airport Oct. 17, 1977. The jet was hijacked by West German terrorists with 91 hostages aboard. The plane later flew to Mogadishu in Somalia where it was freed in an Entabbe-like attack by West German troops. (AP Photo)

Today is Friday, Oct. 18, the 291st day of 2019. There are 74 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History:

On Oct. 18, 1977, West German commandos stormed a hijacked Lufthansa jetliner on the ground in Mogadishu, Somalia, freeing all 86 hostages and killing three of the four hijackers.

On this date:

In 1648, Boston shoemakers were authorized to form a guild to protect their interests; it’s the first American labor organization on record.

In 1892, the first long-distance telephone line between New York and Chicago was officially opened (it could only handle one call at a time).

In 1898, the American flag was raised in Puerto Rico shortly before Spain formally relinquished control of the island to the U-S.

In 1912, black boxer Jack Johnson was arrested in Chicago, accused of violating the Mann Act because of his relationship with his white girlfriend, Lucille Cameron. (The case collapsed when Cameron refused to cooperate, but Johnson was later re-arrested and convicted on the testimony of a former mistress, Belle Schreiber.)

In 1931, inventor Thomas Alva Edison died in West Orange, New Jersey, at age 84.

In 1944, Soviet troops invaded Czechoslovakia during World War II.

In 1961, the movie musical “West Side Story,” starring Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer, premiered in New York, the film’s setting.

In 1962, James D. Watson, Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins were honored with the Nobel Prize for Medicine and Physiology for determining the double-helix molecular structure of DNA.

In 1969, the federal government banned artificial sweeteners known as cyclamates (SY’-kluh-maytz) because of evidence they caused cancer in laboratory rats.

In 1972, Congress passed the Clean Water Act, overriding President Richard Nixon’s veto.

In 1984, actor Jon-Erik Hexum, 26, was taken off life support six days after shooting himself in the head with a pistol loaded with a blank cartridge on the set of his TV show “Cover Up.”

In 2001, CBS News announced that an employee in anchorman Dan Rather’s office had tested positive for skin anthrax. Four disciples of Osama bin Laden were sentenced in New York to life without parole for their roles in the deadly 1998 bombings of two U.S. embassies in Africa.

Ten years ago: A suicide bomber struck a meeting between Revolutionary Guard commanders and Shiite and Sunni tribal leaders in the Iranian border town of Pishin, killing 42 people, including 15 Guard members. Jessica Watson, a 16-year-old Australian, steered her bright pink yacht out of Sydney Harbor to start her bid to become the youngest person to sail solo and unassisted around the world. (She succeeded, returning to Sydney Harbor in May 2010.)

Five years ago: The Supreme Court said Texas could use its controversial new voter identification law for the November election, rejecting an emergency request from the Justice Department and civil rights groups to prohibit the state from requiring voters to produce certain forms of photo ID. (Three justices dissented.) The remains of missing University of Virginia student Hannah Graham, 18, were found near Charlottesville; a suspect, Jesse Leroy Matthew Jr., is charged with first-degree murder and abduction with intent to defile. Paul Craft, 76, a songwriter and member of the country Hall of Fame, died in Nashville.

One year ago: President Donald Trump threatened to close the U.S. border with Mexico if authorities could not stop a caravan of migrants making their way from Central America. Trump threatened “very severe” consequences if the Saudis were found to have murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi (jah-MAHL’ khahr-SHOHK’-jee). LeBron James finished with 26 points and 12 rebounds, but the Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Portland Trail Blazers, 128-119, in James’ regular-season debut with the Lakers. The Boston Red Sox advanced to the World Series, beating the Houston Astros 4-1 to win the American League Championship Series in five games.

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