Today In History

In 1917: Mata Hari, a Dutch dancer who had spied for the Germans, was executed by a firing squad outside Paris.

In 1946: Nazi war criminal Hermann Goering poisoned himself hours before he was to have been executed.

In 1951: The situation comedy “I Love Lucy” premiered on CBS.

In 1976: In the first debate of its kind between vice-presidential nominees, Democrat Walter F. Mondale and Republican Bob Dole faced off in Houston.

In 1991: Despite sexual harassment allegations by Anita Hill, the Senate narrowly confirmed the nomination of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court, 52 to 48.