This Week in History

2005 September 29 | Judith Miller Released from Jail New York Times reporter Judith Miller is released from federal prison after agreeing to reveal her source in the Valerie Plame Affair. Robert Novak outs Valerie Plame as a CIA officer in a newspaper op-ed, but investigators believe Judith Miller has knowledge of the leaker and incarcerate her for refusing to cooperate. In 2008, Robert Novak is a guest of the Club, speaking at a Public Affairs luncheon on politics and his autobiography, The Prince of Darkness. 1890 October 1 | Yosemite National Park Created Through legislation, Congress creates Yosemite National Park, which is signed into law by honorary Club member and United States President Benjamin Harrison. Earlier in 1864, President Abraham Lincoln declared Yosemite Valley a public trust of California marking the first time the federal government conserved land for public recreational use. 1961 October 1 | Roger Maris’ Home Run Record Roger Maris hits his 61st home run in the fourth inning of the season’s final game to establish a Major League record at Yankee Stadium. Maris’ 61st home run breaks Babe Ruth’s 1927 single-season record of 60 home runs. 1863 October 3 | Thanksgiving Day Proclamation President Abraham Lincoln issues his Thanksgiving Day Proclamation, calling on Americans “in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving”. 1822 October 4 | Rutherford B. Hayes Born United States President Rutherford B. Hayes is born in Ohio. President Hayes has several connections to the Club. In 1877, Club President William Evarts successfully argues for Hayes’ election before the Electoral Commission in that disputed election. During his presidency, the Club holds a grand reception for the President and his First Lady. Over a century later, two of President Hayes’ descendants, Austin and Teddy Hayes, join the membership of the Club. 1861 October 4 | Frederic Remington Born Artist, Frederic Remington, is born in New York. Remington becomes the preeminent artist of the American West and the Club is fortunate to have one of his works, The Blanket-Pony Strategy, painted in 1902. 1829 October 5 | Chester A. Arthur Born The twenty-first President of the United States is born in Vermont. An esteemed member of our Club, President Arthur champions civil service reform after succeeding assassinated President James Garfield in 1881.