1825

The Erie Canal opened in upstate New York, connecting Lake Erie and the Hudson River.

1861

The legendary Pony Express officially ceased operations, giving way to the transcontinental telegraph. (The last run of the Pony Express was completed the following month.)

1881

Four lawmen, including Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, exchanged gunfire with five outlaws, killing three of them, at the “Shootout at the O.K. Corral” in Tombstone, Arizona.

1984

“Baby Fae,” a newborn with a severe heart defect, was given the heart of a baboon in an experimental transplant in Loma Linda. (She lived 21 days with the animal heart.)

2001

President George W. Bush signed the USA Patriot Act, giving authorities unprecedented ability to search, seize, detain or eavesdrop in their pursuit of possible terrorists.

Birthdays

Musician Milton Nascimento is 82. Actor Jaclyn Smith is 79. TV host Pat Sajak is 78. Politician, diplomat and former first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton is 77. Musician Bootsy Collins is 73. Artist and filmmaker Julian Schnabel is 73. Actor James Pickens Jr. is 70. Actor-singer Rita Wilson is 68. Actor Dylan McDermott is 63. Singer Natalie Merchant is 61. Country singer Keith Urban is 57. Writer-producer Seth MacFarlane (TV: “Family Guy”) is 51.