This Week in American History: 1976 – “Carrie” Released in Theatres

Here is what happened this week in American History.

• Oct. 29. On this day in 1776, the American Revolutionary War Battle of White Plains begins. Just days earlier, White Plains had been a lightly defended supply depot for the Colonial Army but now holds much of Gen. George Washington’s army. The day before, as Washington was reconnoitering the area and identifying defensible positions, messengers alerted him the British were approaching and again his troops were greatly outnumbered. There were just over 3,000 troops in Washington’s army while the Brits fielded upwards of between 4,000 and 7,500 soldiers. Even today the British numbers prove difficult to assess as the command was not only composed of British regulars but Royal Artillery and two regiments of German Hessians as well. The 2nd Connecticut Regiment was sent to slow the British advance near what is now Hartsdale, New York. They engaged a regiment of German Hessians, conducted a fighting withdrawal and brought the main British Army to a brief stop. Meanwhile, other Continental forces moved to reinforce Chatterton Hill. These forces would help the 2nd Connecticut to disengage and retreat, once again saving Washington’s precious forces. For two days, British General William Howe reinforced his forces on Chatterton Hill. Colonial forces had moved into the nearby hills. When Howe did attack, he found that Washington had moved his soldiers and militia to a camp near North Castle, New York. Howe will try unsuccessfully to draw Washington into a pitched battle but fails to do so. A few days later, Howe will move toward Manhattan. Washington, along with most of his army, will cross the Hudson River near Peekskill, leaving some units behind to guard supply stores and river crossings. In yet another victory, the British suffered 48 killed, 182 wounded and four missing during the battle while Colonial forces suffered 50 to 150 or more killed, in excess of 150 wounded, one missing and 16 captured.

• Oct. 30. In 2014, it is irony beyond belief. The FlightSafety International training center is conducting a program at the Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport in Wichita, Kansas. Taking off from the airport is a Beechcraft King Air and almost immediately after takeoff the aircraft begins to roll. The pilot declares an emergency having lost power in an engine. The aircraft crashes into the very building the flight safety program is being taught. The sole person in the aircraft, the pilot, is killed. Three people inside the building are also killed.

• Oct. 31. Today in 1913, a dedication ceremony is held for the Lincoln Highway, the first coast-to-coast highway initially designed for automobile use. The highway stretches from Times Square in New York City to Lincoln Park in San Francisco, California. The Lincoln Highway travels through 14 states and over 700 cities, towns and villages. Inspired by the Good Roads Movement and the National Old Trails Road, many sections of the Lincoln Highway followed tracks and trails used by those on horseback and horse-drawn wagons. Originally the highway was 3,389 miles in distance but later realignments shortened the distance to 3,142 miles.

• Nov. 1. On this day in 1955, United Air Lines Flight 629 is enroute from LaGuardia Airport in New York City to Seattle-Tacoma International in Seattle, Washington, with intermediate stops in Chicago, Denver, and Portland. The Douglas DC-6B had left Denver and 7:03 pm local time near Longmont, Colorado, it suddenly exploded killing all 44 crew and passengers on board. The ensuing investigation quickly determined that an explosive device had been on the aircraft. Further investigation determined that John Graham had placed a bomb in his mother’s suitcase for the purpose of collecting on insurance. He would confess to the crime of first degree murder and was executed in the Colorado State Penitentiary gas chamber.

• Nov. 2. In 1990, 88-year old Eliot Porter dies in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Born December 6, 1901, Porter earns a Bachelor of Arts degree in chemical engineering and Doctor of Medicine, but his first love is photography first in black and white and later in color. His books that include photos of nature are collectibles today. He pioneers photographs termed “intimate landscapes” and travels extensively around the world taking photographs.

• Nov. 3. Today in 1976, the movie Carrie, adapted from the Stephen King novel of the same name, premiers in just 17 theaters primarily in and around the Washington, DC and Baltimore area. It becomes a huge success, grossing nearly $34 million after costing less than $2 to produce. It launched the career of Sissy Spacek and continues to be regarded as one of the greatest horror films and a regular Halloween feature.

• Nov. 4. On this day in 2025, UPS Airlines Flight 2976, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11F, takes off from Louisville Muhammed Ali International Airport in Louisville, Kentucky bound for Daniel K. Inouye Internation Airport in Honolulu, Hawaii. The aircraft is barely off the ground when the left engine begins ripping away from the wing. The aircraft crashes into a UPS Supply Chain warehouse, the Kentucky Petroleum Recycling company’s depot, a parking area for semi-trucks, and finally in an auto scrap yard. The disaster is caught on various cameras. The investigation found fatigue cracks in the left engine pylon. All three flight crew were killed in the crash as were 12 people on the ground.