The New World
 OCTOBER 12, 1492 - During his first expedition across the Atlantic to find a Western route to Asia, Christopher Columbus discovered the American continent, making landfall in the The Bahamas. Columbus had departed Spain on August 3rd and sailed for the Canary Islands. After stopping to make repairs and restock provisions he headed west on September 6th, spending roughly five weeks at sea before sighting land. On that first voyage Columbus also explored parts of Cuba and the Island of Hispaniola (home to the modern nations of Haiti and the Dominican Republic). Columbus would make a total of four voyages to the New World during his lifetime.
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Raid at Harpers Ferry
 OCTOBER 16, 1859 - In an attempt to launch an armed slave rebellion, white abolitionist John Brown led an attack on the United States Arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia. Brown hoped that once he successfully captured the Arsenal it would inspire an uprising among slaves in the area. He would then arm these slaves with the weapons contained in the Arsenal and march south freeing and arming slaves as they went.
Using just 21 men Brown was able to overpower the guards and capture the Arsenal. The raiders then set up refuge in a building known as the Engine House where they fended off an attempt by the local militia to recapture the Arsenal. Throughout the following day both sides exchanged fire and experienced several causalities. On the evening of 17th a detachment of Marines, led by Colonel Robert E. Lee of the 2nd U.S. Calvary, arrived at Harpers Ferry. Lee sent a contingent of men to negotiate the surrender of Brown. When Brown refused the Marines stormed the building and the raid was quashed in a matter of minutes. Brown suffered multiple wounds in the attack, but survived to stand trial for treason. He was found guilty and hanged on December 2nd.
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Capone's Caper
OCTOBER 17, 1931 - America's most notorious gangster Al Capone was convicted on charges of income tax evasion and sentenced to 11 years in Federal prison. Capone led the Chicago Outfit, a crime syndicate that ran prostitution rings and gambling houses, but whose primary source of revenue was illegal liquor. Despite being a criminal, Capone was admired by many in the public who were unhappy with the Constitutional ban on alcohol. Capone was finally brought to justice by a group of 13 Federal agents led by Eliot Ness known as the Untouchables. Capone served the majority of his 11-year sentence on the island prison of Alcatraz. While imprisoned Capone's physical and mental health deteriorated significantly and he died a few years after his release.
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