The Edge

Today is Sunday, Oct. 27, the 301st day of 2024. There are 65 days left in the year.

Today in history

On Oct. 27, 2018, a gunman shot and killed 11 congregants and wounded six others at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue in the deadliest attack on Jews in U.S. history; authorities said the suspect, Robert Bowers, raged against Jews during and after the rampage. (Bowers was convicted and sentenced to death in 2023.)

Also on this date

In 1787, the first of the Federalist Papers, a series of essays calling for ratification of the United States Constitution, was published.

In 1962, during the Cuban Missile Crisis, a U-2 reconnaissance aircraft was shot down while flying over Cuba, killing the pilot, U.S. Air Force Maj. Rudolf Anderson Jr.

In 1995, a sniper killed one soldier and wounded 18 others at Fort Bragg, N.C. (Paratrooper William J. Kreutzer was convicted in the shootings and condemned to death; the sentence was later commuted to life in prison.)

In 1998, Hurricane Mitch cut through the western Caribbean, pummeling coastal Honduras and Belize; the storm caused several thousand deaths in Central America in the days that followed.

In 2004, the Boston Red Sox won their first World Series since 1918, sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals in four games.

Fun fact

The oldest known rose bush on the planet grows up the side of Germany’s Hildesheim Cathedral. It was planted over 1,000 years ago and even survived a bombing during WWII.

Just for laughs

Where does the witch usually take her vacation? Anywhere that has a broom with a view.

Today’s birthdays

Actor-comedian John Cleese is 85. Author Maxine Hong Kingston is 84. Country singer Lee Greenwood is 82. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is 79. Author Fran Lebowitz is 74. Actor-director Roberto Benigni is 72. Golf Hall of Famer Patty Sheehan is 68. Singer Simon Le Bon (Duran Duran) is 66. Internet news editor Matt Drudge is 58. Author Anthony Doerr is 51. Violinist Vanessa-Mae is 46. TV personality Kelly Osbourne is 40.

The Edge is compiled by Katie Clohessy. She can be contacted at kclohessy@lmtribune.com.