On this day: October 18
POSTED: 11:34 AM MDT Oct 17, 2012
UPDATED: 12:00 AM MDT Oct 18, 2012
Herman Melville's masterpiece is printed, the U.S. takes possession of Alaska and Puerto Rico, "West Side Story" premieres, and Reggie Jackson goes deep three times in the World Series, all on this day.
Public domain
1356: The Basel earthquake, the most significant historic seismological event north of the Alps, destroys the town of Basel, Switzerland, and causes much destruction in a vast region extending into France and Germany. The earthquake is envisioned here in this late-19th century painting by Swiss painter Karl Jauslin.
