GMT

Today in History: October 19

1216
King John of England dies at Newark and is succeeded by his nine-year-old son Henry.

1739
England declares war on Spain over borderlines in Florida. The War is known as the War of Jenkins' Ear because the Spanish coast guards cut off the ear of British seaman Robert Jenkins.

1781
Major General Lord Charles Cornwallis surrenders to George Washington and Count de Rochambeau at Yorktown, Va. Cornwallis surrenders 7,157 troops, including sick and wounded, and 840 sailors, along with 244 artillery pieces. Losses in this battle had been light on both sides. The Revolutionary War is effectively ended.

1917
The first doughnut is fried by Salvation Army volunteer women for American troops in France during World War I.

1954
Egypt and Britain conclude a pact on the Suez Canal, ending 72 years of British military occupation. Britain agrees to withdraw its 80,000-man force within 20 months, and Egypt agrees to maintain freedom of canal navigation

1973
President Richard Nixon rejects an Appeals Court demand to turn over the Watergate tapes.

1987
In retaliation for Iranian attacks on ships in the Persian Gulf, the U. S. navy disables three of Iran's offshore oil platform

2003
Mother Teresa is beatified by Pope John Paul II for her work among "the poorest of the poor" in India.

2005
Former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's trail for crimes against humanity begins in Baghdad.

Today in History: Born on October 19

1932
Robert Reed, actor; best known for his role as Mike Brady on the ABC sitcom The Brady Bunch, he received Emmy nominations for his appearances in Medical Center, Rich Man, Poor Man, and Roots.

1945
John Lithgow, actor (The World According to Garp; Terms of Endearment; 3rd Rock from the Sun TV sitcom).

1945
Jeannie C. Riley, country and gospel singer, whose 1968 hit "Harper Valley PTA" (penned by Tom T. Hall) reached No. 1 on both the Pop and Country charts of Billboard magazine.

1962
Evander Holyfield, professional boxer; held Undisputed World Champion title in both cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions; known as "The Real Deal." In a 1997 bout, challenger Mike Tyson bit off part of one of Holyfield's ears.

JOTD
3 men die and go to heaven

At the Pearly Gates they're greeted by Saint Peter
Saint Peter: I will let you into heaven if you can show me a spirit of Christmas
The first man pulls out a leaf from his pocket and says "this represents the Christmas tree"
He is allowed into heaven
The second man pulls out his keys "these represent bells"
He is allowed into heaven
The third man pulls out a pair of women's underwear
Saint Peter: good lord what do those represent?!
The third man says "oh well these, these are Carols"