This Day In History, Odd News and Facts For October 7, 2012

The extent of the October 8, 1871 Peshtigo Fire in red. The fire was the deadliest fire in the history of the United States. It consumed a large area surrounding Peshtigo, Wisconsin. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

AMERICAN REVOLUTION Patriots prevail in Carolinas, 1780

AUTOMOTIVE CBS broadcasts the premiere episode of “Route 66″, 1960

CIVIL WAR North and South clash at the Battle of Darbytown,1864

COLD WAR Kennedy and Nixon debate Cold War foreign policy, 1960

CRIME Palestinian terrorists hijack an Italian cruise ship, 1985

DISASTER Massive fire burns in Wisconsin, 1871

GENERAL INTEREST Battle of King’s Mountain,1780

Moving Assembly Line at Ford, 1913

East Germany created,1949

U.S.-led attack on Afghanistan begins, 2001

HOLLYWOOD Connery plays Bond in Never Say Never Again,1983

LITERARY Ginsberg reads “Howl” for the first time, 1955

MUSIC A New York judge reverses John Lennon’s deportation order, 1975

OLD WEST First double-decked steamboat, the Washington, arrives in New Orleans, 1816

PRESIDENTIAL President Bush announces military action in Afghanistan,2001

SPORTS Walter Payton sets a record, 1984

VIETNAM WAR Wheeler announces progress in the Vietnamization effort,1969

Nixon announces a new peace proposal, 1970

WORLD WAR I Antwerp under siege,1914

WORLD WAR II German troops enter Romania, 1940

Japanese execute nearly 100 American prisoners on Wake Island, 1943

This Day in Wisconsin History

1774 – Wisconsin Becomes Part of Quebec

1848 – University of Wisconsin Board of Regents Meets

1864 – (Civil War) First engagement at Darbytown Road, Virginia

Today is Lee National Denim Day, National Diversity Day, World Smile Day and Yom Kippur (begins at sundown – Jewish)

Your Daily Horoscope UPI horoscopes for Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012.

The almanac UPI Almanac for Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012.

And Now From  The UPI Desk:

Understatement of the Week: Big Bird Understatement of the week:

Don’t try this at home — or elsewhere! Don’t try this at home — or elsewhere!

Couples say they get closer on road trips DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 6 (UPI) — Almost all U.S. couples say they have taken a road trip together and 84 percent say the experience strengthened their relationship, a survey indicates.

‘Gangnam Style’ takes world by storm SEOUL, Oct. 6 (UPI) — Olympic rhythmic gymnasts have joined the list of devotees to “Gangnam Style,” South Korean pop star Psy’s international hit dance craze song.

Hot funeral trend: Pre-need obits FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Oct. 6 (UPI) — Funeral homes in South Florida say one of the hottest trends in “pre-need” funeral planning is do-it-yourself obituaries.