Oct. 1. 1946: Nuremberg War Crimes Tribunal rejects defense of "following orders" for crimes against humanity. 1969: Canadian protestors shut down the border crossing at Blaine, Wash., in opposition to U.S. nuclear testing in Alaska.

Oct. 4. 1957:. Soviet Union launches world's first artificial satellite, Sputnik. "Leave It To Beaver" debuts on CBS.

Oct. 5. 1968: Seattle police kill Black Panther member Welton "Butch" Armstead during an arrest for suspicion of car theft. 1994: Italy becomes 54th country to abolish the death penalty. 1995: In a protest of proposed Medicaid and Medicare cuts, 31 are arrested for occupying King County Republican Party offices in Seattle.

Oct. 6. 1845: First co-op store in U.S. opens in Boston. 1970: About 200 stage a "bike-in" in downtown Seattle to protest automobiles.

Oct. 7. 1879: Birth of Joe Hill. 1931: Birth of Desmond Tutu.