On October 6, 1991, law professor Anita Hill accused Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment, turning his nomination hearings into a national spectacle. Thomas was approved by a full Senate vote of 52-48 on October 15. Read an excerpted version of Hill's testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on October 11.

On October 6, 1981, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat was assassinated by militants in retaliation for signing a peace treaty with Israel.