Today in History(AP) — Today is Thursday, October 20, the 293rd day of 2005. There are 72 days left in the year.

ON THIS DATE<$>

In 1803, the US Senate ratified the Louisiana Purchase.

In 1892, the city of Chicago dedicated the World’s Columbian Exposition.

In 1944, during the Second World War, US Gen. Douglas MacArthur stepped ashore at Leyte in the Philippines, 2 [1/2] years after he’d said: “I shall return.”

In 1967, seven men were convicted in Meridian, Mississippi, of violating the civil rights of three murdered civil rights workers.

In 1968, former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy married Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis.

In 1979, the John F. Kennedy Library was dedicated in Boston.

In 2004, US Army staff sergeant, Ivan (Chip) Frederick, pleaded guilty to abusing Iraqi detainees at Abu Ghraib prison. (Frederick was sentenced to eight years in prison.)

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

“Everybody’s private motto: It’s better to be popular than right.” _ Mark Twain (1835-1910).