This Day In History

October 18
1081
The Normans defeat the Byzantine Empire in the Battle of Dyrrhachium.
1922
The British Broadcasting Company (later Corporation) is founded by a consortium, to establish a nationwide network of radio transmitters to provide a national broadcasting service.
1867
United States takes possession of Alaska after purchasing it from Russia for $7.2 million. Celebrated annually in the state as Alaska Day.
1921
The Crimean Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic is formed as part of the RSFSR.
1991
Azerbaijan declares independence from USSR.
2007
Karachi bombings: A suicide attack on a motorcade carrying former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto kills 139 and wounds 450 more. Bhutto herself is not injured.