In 1888: In the Whitechapel district of London, Jack the Ripper killed the first of five prostitutes. The first victim was Polly Nicholls, 42.

In 1895: The first professional football game was played in Latrobe, Penn., when Latrobe played Jeannette, Pa. The Latrobe players split the game profits.

In 1942:Britain halted the German advance in North Africa at the Battle of Alam al-Halfa.

In 1965: Congress made it illegal to burn draft cards.

In 1972: Swimmer Mark Spitz won seven gold medals at the Munich Olympics.