This Day in Naval History – Oct. 71864 - USS Washusett captures Confederate raider CSS Florida in harbor of Bahia, Brazil.

1924 - Rigid airship Shenandoah commences transcontinental flight.

1975 - President Gerald Ford signs law allowing admission of women into service academies (Public Law 94-106).

2001 - Operation Enduring Freedom begins with carrier air strikes, and ship and submarine Tomahamk strikes.

(Source: Navy News Service)