4 October

Born in 1895 – Buster Keaton, American filmmaker.

Above: Keaton in the 1926 film, The General

Also born in 1822, American Civil War general, lawyer, and 19th President Rutherford B. Hayes.

May 15, 1861, Cincinnati--Judge Matthews and I have agreed to go into the service for the war,--if possible into the same regiment. I spoke my feelings to him, which he said were his also, viz., that this was a just and necessary war and that it demanded the whole power of the country; that I would prefer to go into it if I knew I was to die or be killed in the course of it, than to live through and after it without taking any part in it.

—entry from Hayes’ diary