History for October 9

History for October 9 - On-This-Day.com:
Bruce Catton 1899 , John Lennon 1940 - Musician (Beatles), John Alec Entwistle 1944 - Musician (The Who)

1635 - Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island, was banished from Massachusetts because he had spoken out against punishments for religious offenses and giving away land that belonged to the Indians. Williams had founded Providence, Rhode Island as a place for people to seek religious freedom. 1776 - A group of Spanish missionaries settled in what is now San Francisco, CA. 1781 - The last major battle of the American Revolutionary War took place in Yorktown, VA. The American forces, led by George Washington, defeated the British troops under Lord Cornwallis. 1812 - During the War of 1812 American forces captured two British brigs, the Detroit and the Caledonia. 1855 - Isaac Singer patented the sewing machine motor. 1855 - Joshua C. Stoddard received a patent for his calliope. 1872 - Aaron Montgomery started his mail order business with the delivery of the first mail order catalog. The firm later became Montgomery Wards. 1930 - Aviator Laura Ingalls landed in Glendale, CA, to complete the first solo transcontinental flight across the U.S. by a woman. 1946 - The first electric blanket went on sale in Petersburg, VA. 1986 - Democrat U.S. District Judge Harry E. Claiborne became the fifth federal official to be removed from office through impeachment. The U.S. Senate convicted Claiborne of "high crimes and misdemeanors." 1986 - The musical "Phantom of the Opera" by Andrew Lloyd Webber opened in London.