-- The first radio episode of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet airs. The show focuses on a young family and is based on the real-life family of stars Ozzie and Harriet Nelson. In 1952, the show moves to television, where it runs until 1966.

-- John Lennon is born in Liverpool, England. He would go on to become one of the most influential musicians in rock history, both with the Beatles and as a solo artist.

-- The United States Mint hires its first two female workers, putting them to work as adjusters.

-- Apollo 7, the first manned Apollo mission, launches with astronauts Walter Schirra, Donn Eisele and Walter Cunningham aboard. The crew transmits the first live television broadcasts from orbit, inspiring a generation of cable TV networks to go live from anywhere.

-- 41-year-old Christopher Columbus reaches the New World after taking the ultimate road trip across the Atlantic Ocean with three small ships. Two months into his journey, he reaches the Bahamas, although the geographically challenged crew thinks they're in Asia.

-- Bavarian Crown Prince Louis marries Princess Therese von Sachsen-
Hildburghausen. The royalty invited the citizens of Munich to attend the festivities. More than 40,000 people show up to party, giving rise to the annual tradition of Oktoberfest. Ein prosit!

-- Production begins on The Wizard of Oz, the movie that introduced the world to "Over the Rainbow," Technicolor Munchkins and Judy Garland. The 17-year-old actress and singer became an international celebrity and earned an Oscar for Best Juvenile Performer. She was the lowest-paid member of the principal cast, earning only $500 a week.