Today in History
Significant Events
- 1492 Christopher Columbus notes 1st recorded reference to tobacco
- 1884 European Colonization and trade in Africa is officially regulated at the international Berlin Conference, formalizing European powers "Scramble for Africa"
- 1904 King C. Gillette patents the Gillette razor blade
- 1948 Mackenzie King retires after 22 years as Prime Minister of Canada
- 1969 An estimated 2 million people take part in the Vietnam War Moratorium demonstration across the United States
Today in Film & TV
- 1926 1st formal radio network, RCA takes over AT&T 25 station Network (NBC)
Today in Music
- 1986 Beastie Boys release their debut album "Licensed to Ill" - 1st No. 1 rap album on Billboard charts
Today in Sport
- 1964 Mickey Wright shoots a 62, lowest golf score for a woman pro at the Tall City Open, Midland, Texas
William Herschel
Gerhart Hauptmann
Erwin Rommel
W. C. Handy
Burgess Meredith
Chinua AchebeWould You Believe?
In Parliament Sir Anthony Blunt, art advisor to the Queen, exposed as 4th man in Soviet spy ring. He was then stripped of his knighthood and fellowship of Trinity College, Cambridge
On this day in 1979
Famous Weddings
- 1986 Golfer Byron Nelson (74) weds advertising copy writer Peggy Simmons (42)
- 1997 TV host and actor William Shatner (66) weds former Ford model Nerine Kidd (38) in Pasadena, California
- 2005 Emperor Akihito's daughter Princess Sayako (36) weds Yoshiki Kuroda (40) at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, Japan
Famous Divorces
- 2010 "Single White Female" actress Jennifer Jason Leigh (48) divorces writer Noah Baumbach (41) due to irreconcilable differences after 5 years of marriage
Justinian I
Johannes Kepler
Lionel Barrymore
Louis Riel
Clark Gable
Cluny MacPhersonThis Month in History
The War's Over, But Don't Get Too Excited
It was 'the war to end all wars' that came to a weary climax on this day. But this was no time to lose your inhibitions, at least not for one famous Englishman.
November 11, 1918
Nell Gwyn, the Whore Who Enchanted a King
Nell Gwyn, who was brought up in a bawdy-house in London, caught the eye of King Charles II and became one of England’s most famous royal mistresses.
November 14, 1687
All Eyes on Birthplace of British Rock 'n' Roll
Tommy Steele, Britain's first rock 'n' roll star, was discovered on this day at a coffee bar in central London, appearing live on the BBC's first pop music show.
November 16, 1957
Words That Echoed Down The Decades
Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, delivered on this day, was as short and simple as it was immensely powerful and memorable.
November 19, 1863
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