TODAY IN HISTORY

Wednesday, October  17, 2012 AP Highlight in History:  On Oct. 17, 1989, an earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale struck northern California, killing 67 people and causing $7 billion worth of damage.   AP Photo/Paul Sakuma
On this date in: 1777 British forces under Gen. John Burgoyne surrendered to American troops in Saratoga, N.Y., in a turning point of the Revolutionary War. 1919 The Radio Corporation of America was created. 1931 Mobster Al Capone was convicted of income tax evasion and sentenced to 11 years in prison. 1945 Col. Juan Peron staged a coup, becoming absolute ruler of Argentina. 1957 French author Albert Camus was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature. AP Photo 1973 Arab oil-producing nations announced they would cut back oil exports to Western nations and Japan; the result was a total embargo that lasted until March 1974. 1979 Mother Teresa of India was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her work on behalf of the destitute in Calcutta. AP Photo 1987 First lady Nancy Reagan underwent a modified radical mastectomy. 2007 President George W. Bush, raising Beijing's ire, presented the Dalai Lama with the Congressional Gold Medal and urged Chinese leaders to welcome the monk to Beijing.		Video HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS DAY IN HISTORY Today's Birthdays: Golfer Ernie Els turns 43 years old today. AP Photo/Eric Risberg Name Profession Age Jimmy Breslin Newspaper columnist 82 Jim Seals Singer (Seals & Crofts) 70 Michael McKean Actor ("This is Spinal Tap," "Laverne and Shirley") 65 Margot Kidder Actress 64 George Wendt Actor ("Cheers") 64 Alan Jackson Country singer 54 Rob Marshall Director 52 Mike Judge Animator, director ("Beavis and Butthead") 50 Norm Macdonald Actor, comedian ("Saturday Night Live") 49 Ziggy Marley Reggae musician 44 Eminem Rapper 40 Singer Wyclef Jean turns 40 years old today. AP Photo/Chris Pizzello