Today in History: October 26, Newborn receives baboon heart in experimental transplant

"In 1774, the First Continental Congress adjourned in Philadelphia. In 1881, four lawmen, including Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, exchanged gunfire with five outlaws, killing three of them, in the Shootout at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona. In 1825, the Erie Canal opened in upstate New York, connecting Lake Erie and the Hudson River. In 1861, the legendary Pony Express officially ceased operations, giving way to the transcontinental telegraph. (The last run of the Pony Express was completed the following month.)"

"In 1979, South Korean President Park Chung-hee was shot to death by the head of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency, Kim Jae-kyu. In 2000, the New York Yankees became the first team in more than a quarter-century to win three straight World Series championships, beating the New York Mets in Game 5 of their Subway Series. In 2001, President George W. Bush signed the USA Patriot Act, giving authorities unprecedented ability to search, seize, detain or eavesdrop in their pursuit of possible terrorists."

"In 2020, Amy Coney Barrett was confirmed to the Supreme Court by a deeply divided Senate, installing President Donald Trump's nominee days before the U.S. general election. In 2024, Israel launched predawn airstrikes against military targets in Iran in retaliation for a barrage of ballistic missiles the Islamic Republic fired on Israel on Oct. 1. It was the first time Israel's military had openly attacked Iran."

October 26 records a wide range of historical events across centuries. In 1774 the First Continental Congress adjourned in Philadelphia. The 1881 Shootout at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone involved Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday and outlaws. The Erie Canal opened in 1825, linking Lake Erie and the Hudson River. The Pony Express ceased operations in 1861 as the transcontinental telegraph took over. In 1984 Baby Fae received a baboon heart and survived 21 days. In 1979 President Park Chung-hee was assassinated. The New York Yankees won a three-peat in 2000. The USA Patriot Act was signed in 2001. Later entries include the 2002 Moscow theater siege, a 2020 Supreme Court confirmation, and 2024 Israeli airstrikes on Iran.

Read at www.mercurynews.com