October 11th, 2008

Today in History

2001:
Polaroid Corporation files for federal bankruptcy protection.

1987:
March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights attracts between 500,000 and 600,000 people to protest the Bowers v. Hardwick decision and the U.S. government's handling of the AIDS epidemic; first public display of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt.

1984:
Aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger, astronaut Kathryn D. Sullivan becomes the first American women to perform a space walk.

1899:
Boer War begins: In South Africa, a war between the United Kingdom and the Boers of the Transvaal and Orange Free State erupts.

1776:
On Lake Champlain 15 American gunboats are defeated but give Patriot forces enough time to prepare defenses of New York City.