German biochemist October 5, 1973 (Friday) Elton John released his critically-acclaimed and best-selling double album, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, with lyrics by Bernie Taupin and John composing the music. Jules Léger was appointed as the new Governor General of Canada by Queen Elizabeth II, to succeed Roland Michener on January 14. Born: Cédric Villani, French mathematician; in Brive-la-Gaillarde, Corrèze département Died: Milunka Savić, 85, highly-decorated Yugoslav Serbian World War One veteran and one of the most honored female combatants in the history of warfare. Savić received France's Légion d’Honneur and Croix de Guerre, Russia's Cross of St. George, and Britain's Order of St Michael and St George for heroism. John Paul Chase, 71, American bank robber and murderer described by FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover as "a rat with a patriotic-sounding name", died of cancer seven years after his parole from prison. October 6, 1973 (Saturday) Egypt and Syria staged a surprise attack on Israel with an invasion of the Israeli-occupied Sinai peninsula and the Golan Heights, beginning the Yom Kippur War. Fighting began at 2:05 in the afternoon (1205 UTC) on the cease-fire line between Syria and Israel. The attack, stage on the Jewish Yom Kippur holiday, marked the start of the fourth, and largest, Arab–Israeli conflict, after wars in 1948, 1956 and 1957. French Formula One driver François Cevert was killed during a qualifying round prior to the U.S. Grand Prix in Watkins Glen, New York. Cevert's teammate, world driving champion Jackie Stewart, announced his retirement after the event. Born: Ioan Gruffudd, Welsh film and television actor known for the Hornblower films and for Fantastic Four; in Aberdare, Mid Glamorgan Jeff B. Davis, American comedian and impressionist known for Whose Line Is It Anyway?; in Los Angeles Rebecca Lobo, American college and WNBA basketball player and sportscaster, enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame; in Hartford, Connecticut Died: Sidney Blackmer, 78, American stage and film actor, 1950 Tony Award winner for Come Back, Little Sheba (b. 1895); Dick Laan, 79, Dutch children's writer known for his Pinkeltje series of books. Dennis Price, 58, English television actor known for his portrayal of the valet Jeeves in the British TV series The World of Wooster, died of heart failure following a hip fracture Margaret Wilson, 91, American novelist and Pulitzer prize winner (1924) for The Able McLaughlins (b. 1882) Boris Agapov, 74, Soviet journalist October 7, 1973 (Sunday) Iraq nationalized