Oct 14 Oct 15 Oct 16 Oct 17 Pick a day Oct 15 Oct 16 Oct 17 Pick a day Oct 16 Oct 17 Pick a day Oct 17 Pick a day See more birthdays Vietnam War 1969 Lottery Not Called Not drafted 294 Vietnam War 1970 Lottery Called Drafted 115 Vietnam War 1971 Lottery Called Drafted 36 Vietnam War 1972 Lottery Called Drafted 14 Read on to learn more about the Vietnam war draft lottery. 2012 Felix Baumgartner breaks the world record for highest manned balloon flight, highest parachute jump, and greatest free-fall velocity, parachuting from an altitude of approximately 24 miles (39km). Felix Baumgartner breaks the world record for highest manned balloon flight, highest parachute jump, and greatest free-fall velocity, parachuting from an altitude of approximately 24 miles (39km). 1998 Eric Robert Rudolph charged with the 1996 bombing during the Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia; It was one of several bombing incidents Rudolph carried out to protest legalized abortion in the US. Eric Robert Rudolph charged with the 1996 bombing during the Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia; It was one of several bombing incidents Rudolph carried out to protest legalized abortion in the US. 1994 Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, Israel’s Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres for establishing the Oslo Accords and preparing for Palestinian Self Government. Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, Israel’s Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres for establishing the Oslo Accords and preparing for Palestinian Self Government. 1983 Prime Minister of Grenada Maurice Bishop overthrown and later executed by a military coup. Prime Minister of Grenada Maurice Bishop overthrown and later executed by a military coup. 1978 Usher (Usher Raymond IV), singer; among the top-selling artists in music history and multiple Grammy winner (“Nice & Slow,” “OMG”). Usher (Usher Raymond IV), singer; among the top-selling artists in music history and multiple Grammy winner (“Nice & Slow,” “OMG”). 1974 Natalie Maines, singer, songwriter, activist; lead vocalist of the Dixie Chicks, the top-selling all-female band and country group since Nielsen SoundScan tracking began in 1991; Maines’ comments against the coming US invasion of Iraq in 2003 led to radio boycotts that virtually ended the group’s career for several years. Natalie Maines, singer, songwriter, activist; lead vocalist of the Dixie Chicks, the top-selling all-female band and country group since Nielsen SoundScan tracking began in 1991; Maines’ comments against the coming US invasion of Iraq in 2003 led to radio boycotts that virtually ended the group’s career for several years. 1969 The British 50-pence coin enters the UK’s currency, the first step toward covering to a decimal system, which was planned for 1971. The British 50-pence coin enters the UK’s currency, the first step toward covering to a decimal system, which was planned for 1971. 1968 Jim Hines, USA, breaks the “ten-second barrier” in the 100-meter sprint at the Olympics in Mexico City; his time was 9.95. Jim Hines, USA, breaks the “ten-second barrier” in the 100-meter sprint at the Olympics in Mexico City; his time was 9.95. US Defense Department announces 24,000 soldiers and Marines will be sent back to Vietnam for involuntary second tours of duty. US Defense Department announces 24,000 soldiers and Marines will be sent back to Vietnam for involuntary second tours of duty. 1966 Montreal, Quebec, Canada, opens its underground Montreal Metro rapid-transit system. Montreal, Quebec, Canada, opens its underground Montreal Metro rapid-transit system. 1964 Rev. Martin Luther King is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for advocating a policy of non-violence. Rev. Martin Luther King is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for advocating a policy of non-violence. 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis begins; USAF U-2 reconnaissance pilot photographs Cubans installing Soviet-made missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Cuban Missile Crisis begins; USAF U-2 reconnaissance pilot photographs Cubans installing Soviet-made missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. 1954 Mordechai Vanunu, Israeli nuclear technician who provided details of Israel’s nuclear weapons program to the British press in 1986, citing his opposition to weapons of mass destruction. Mordechai Vanunu, Israeli nuclear technician who provided details of Israel’s nuclear weapons program to the British press in 1986, citing his opposition to weapons of mass destruction. 1950 Chinese Communist Forces begin to infiltrate the North Korean Army. Chinese Communist Forces begin to infiltrate the North Korean Army. 1947 Test pilot Chuck Yeager breaks the sound barrier aboard a Bell X-1 rocket plane. Test pilot Chuck Yeager breaks the sound barrier aboard a Bell X-1 rocket plane. 1944 German Field Marshal Rommel , suspected of complicity in the July 20th plot against Hitler, is visited at home by two of Hitler’s staff and given the choice of public trial or suicide by poison. He chooses suicide and it is announced that he died of wounds. German Field Marshal Rommel , suspected of complicity in the July 20th plot against Hitler, is visited at home by two of Hitler’s staff and given the choice of public trial or suicide by poison. He chooses suicide and it is announced that he died of wounds. 1940 Christopher Timothy, actor, director, writer; best known for portraying James Herriot in the British TV series All Creatures Great and Smal l (1978-80) and Brendan “Mac” McGuire in the BBC soap opera Doctors (2000-06).

Christopher Timothy, actor, director, writer; best known for portraying James Herriot in the British TV series All Creatures Great and Smal l (1978-80) and Brendan “Mac” McGuire in the BBC soap opera Doctors (2000-06). 1939 Ralph Lauren, noted fashion designer. Ralph Lauren, noted fashion designer. 1933 The Geneva disarmament conference breaks up as Germany proclaims withdrawal from the disarmament initiative, as well as from the League of Nations, effective October 23. This begins German policy of independent action in foreign affairs. The Geneva disarmament conference breaks up as Germany proclaims withdrawal from the disarmament initiative, as well as from the League of Nations, effective October 23. This begins German policy of independent action in foreign affairs. 1930 Mobutu Sese Seko, President of the Congo / Zaire (1965-97); rose to power in coups that overthrew the first democratically elected president of the Republic of the Congo; the country was renamed Zaire in 1971. Mobutu Sese Seko, President of the Congo / Zaire (1965-97); rose to power in coups that overthrew the first democratically elected president of the Republic of the Congo; the country was renamed Zaire in 1971. Singer Ethel Merman stuns the audience when she holds a high C for sixteen bars while singing “I Got Rhythm” during her Broadway debut in Gershwin’s Girl Crazy . Singer Ethel Merman stuns the audience when she holds a high C for sixteen bars while singing “I Got Rhythm” during her Broadway debut in Gershwin’s Girl Crazy . 1927 Sir Roger Moore, actor; played James Bond in 7 films (1973-85) and starred as Simon Templar in The Saint TV series (1962-69). Sir Roger Moore, actor; played James Bond in 7 films (1973-85) and starred as Simon Templar in The Saint TV series (1962-69). 1926 Son Thomas, blues guitarist and singer. Son Thomas, blues guitarist and singer. 1916 C. Everett Koop, U.S. Surgeon General. C. Everett Koop, U.S. Surgeon General. 1912 Former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt is shot and wounded in assassination attempt in Milwaukee. He was saved by the papers in his breast pocket and, though wounded, insisted on finishing his speech. Former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt is shot and wounded in assassination attempt in Milwaukee. He was saved by the papers in his breast pocket and, though wounded, insisted on finishing his speech. 1905 Eugene Fodor, Hungarian-born travel writer. Eugene Fodor, Hungarian-born travel writer. 1896 Lilian Gish, Film actress, “The First Lady of the Silent Screen.” Lilian Gish, Film actress, “The First Lady of the Silent Screen.” 1894 e.e. cummings, American poet. e.e. cummings, American poet. 1890 Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th U.S. President (1953-1961). Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th U.S. President (1953-1961). 1888 Katherine Mansfield, short story writer. Katherine Mansfield, short story writer. 1884 Transparent paper-strip photographic film is patented by George Eastman. Transparent paper-strip photographic film is patented by George Eastman. 1832 Blackfeet Indians attack American Fur Company trappers near Montana’s Jefferson River, killing one. Blackfeet Indians attack American Fur Company trappers near Montana’s Jefferson River, killing one. 1806 Napoleon Bonaparte crushes the Prussian army at Jena, Germany. Napoleon Bonaparte crushes the Prussian army at Jena, Germany. 1773 Britain’s East India Company tea ships’ cargo is burned at Annapolis, Md. Britain’s East India Company tea ships’ cargo is burned at Annapolis, Md. 1705 The English Navy captures Barcelona in Spain. The English Navy captures Barcelona in Spain. 1651 Laws are passed in Massachusetts forbidding the poor to adopt excessive styles of dress. Laws are passed in Massachusetts forbidding the poor to adopt excessive styles of dress. 1644 William Penn, English Quaker leader and founder of Pennsylvania. William Penn, English Quaker leader and founder of Pennsylvania. 1066 William of Normandy defeats King Harold in the Battle of Hastings. William of Normandy defeats King Harold in the Battle of Hastings.