Today in History: October 17, Loma Prieta earthquake strikes California

Today is Thursday, Oct. 17, the 291st time of 2024. There are 75 days near successful the year.

Today successful history:

On Oct. 17, 1989, an earthquake measuring 6.9 successful magnitude struck bluish California, sidesplitting 63 radical and causing up to $10 cardinal worthy of damage.

Also connected this date:

In 1777, British forces nether Gen. John Burgoyne surrendered to American troops successful Saratoga, New York, successful a turning constituent of the Revolutionary War.

In 1931, mobster Al Capone was convicted successful Chicago of income taxation evasion; helium would beryllium sentenced to 11 years successful prison.

In 1933, Albert Einstein arrived successful the United States arsenic a exile from Nazi Germany.

In 1967, Puyi, the past emperor of China, died successful Beijing astatine property 61.

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

In 1989, Game 3 of the World Series was canceled arsenic the Loma Prieta earthquake struck Northern California conscionable 30 minutes earlier the crippled was scheduled to statesman astatine Candlestick Park successful San Francisco; the crippled would yet beryllium played 10 days later.

In 2018, residents of the Florida Panhandle assemblage of Mexico Beach who had fled Hurricane Michael a week earlier returned to find houses, businesses and campers ripped to shreds; the tempest had killed astatine slightest 59 radical and caused much than $25 cardinal successful harm successful Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas and Virginia.

Today’s Birthdays:

• Singer Gary Puckett is 82.
• Actor-musician Michael McKean is 77.
• Actor George Wendt is 76.
• Astronaut Mae Jemison is 68.
• Country vocalist Alan Jackson is 66.
• Film professional Richard Roeper is 65.
• Film manager Rob Marshall is 64.
• Animator-filmmaker Mike Judge is 62.
• Reggae vocalist Ziggy Marley is 56.
• Actor Wood Harris is 55.
• 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.
• Actor Felicity Jones is 41.