< Back 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Next >

1941–Mount Rushmore is completed in South Dakota. Work on the monument, honoring Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt, had begun August 10, 1927. The monument was dedicated on March 3, 1933, although work continued. Sculptor, Gutzon Borglum, died in 1941, and his son, Lincoln, continued the project until funds ran out. Since then, no additional carving has been done, nor is any further work (other than maintenance) on the memorial planned.



475–Romulus Augustulus is proclaimed Western Roman Emperor.

683–During the Siege of Mecca, the Kaaba catches fire and is burned down.

802–Empress Irene is deposed and banished to Lesbos. Conspirators place Nikephoros, the minister of finance, on the Byzantine throne.

834–The first All Hallows Eve (Halloween) is observed to honor the Saints.

1214–Eleanor of England, Queen of Castile, dies in Burgos, Castile, at age 53. She was the sixth child and second daughter of Henry II, King of England, and Eleanor of Aquitaine.

1345–Ferdinand I of Portugal, is born in Coimbra, Portugal.

1391–King Edward of Portugal is born in Viseu, Kingdom of Portugal. He was called “the Philosopher” or “the Eloquent.” Edward was the oldest member of the "Illustrious Generation" of accomplished royal children who contributed to the development of Portuguese civilization during the 15th century.

1424–Wladuslaw III, King of Poland, is born in Kraków, Poland. He ascended the throne at the age of 10.

1517–During the Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther posts his 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany.

1587–Leiden University Library opens its doors in in Leiden, Netherlands, after its founding in 1575.

1614–The first performance of Ben Jonson's comedy, Bartholomew Fair, by the Lady Elizabeth's Men company takes place at the Hope Theatre in London, England.

1632–Painter, Johannes Vermeer, is born in Delft, Dutch Republic. He specialized in domestic interior scenes of middle-class life. Vermeer worked slowly and with great care, and frequently used very expensive pigments. He is particularly renowned for his masterly treatment and use of light in his work.

1705–Pope Clement XIV is born Giovanni Vincenzo Antonio Ganganelli in Santarcangelo di Romagna, Romagna, Papal States.

1732–Victor Amadeus II of Sardinia dies from a stroke at the Castle of Rivoli in Turin, Italy, at age 66.

1517–Martin Luther posts 95 theses on a Wittenberg church, starting the Protestant Reformation.

1732–Victor Amadeus II of Sardinia dies from a stroke at the Castle of Rivoli in Turin, Italy, at age 66.

1756–Giacomo Casanova, in prison on charges of being a magician, makes a spectacular escape and finds his way to Paris, France, where he introduces the lottery in 1757, and makes a name for himself among the aristocracy. As versatile in his writing as he was in his career, Casanova writes occasional verse, criticism, a translation of the Iliad, and a satirical pamphlet on Venetian aristocracy. But he is best known for his vivid autobiography, first published after his death as Mémoires de J. Casanova de Seingalt in 12 volumes.

1795–Poet, John Keats, is born in his father's livery stable in Finsbury Pavement, London, England. His first book was published in 1817, and was followed by his poem, "Endymion," which describes the states of ideal love and beauty. When he was 24, he wrote his greatest poetry, including "The Eve of St. Agnes," "La Belle Dame sans Merci" ("The Beautiful woman without Mercy"), and his six great odes, including, "Ode on a Grecian Urn."

1822–Emperor Agustín de Iturbide attempts to dissolve the Congress of the Mexican Empire.

1827–Architect and founder of the American Institute of Architects, Richard Morris Hunt, is born in Brattleboro, Vermont. He was instrumental in fashioning the appearance of New York City. His major designs include the facade and Great Hall of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty. Hunt also designed many New York City mansions now defunct, including the John Jacob Astor IV House, William K. Vanderbilt's House, the Petit Chateau, and the Ogden Mills House. He was also the designer of two of America's most famous homes, the George Washington Vanderbilt House, better known as the Biltmore Estate, and Cornelius Vanderbilt II's house (The Breakers) in Newport, Rhode Island.

1834–Chemist-scientist, E.I. Du Pont, dies of a heart attack in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at age 63. His descendants, the Du Pont family, have been one of America's richest and most prominent families since the 19th century, with generations of influential businessmen, politicians, and philanthropists.

1838–Luís I of Portugal is born Luís Filipe Maria Fernando Pedro de Alcântara António Miguel Rafael Gabriel Gonzaga Xavier Francisco de Assis João Augusto Júlio Valfando at Necessidades Palace, Lisbon, Portugal.

1860–Juliette Gordon Low is born Juliette Magill Kinzie Gordon in Savannah, Georgia. She founded the Girl Scouts of the USA, with help from Sir Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Scouting Movement. Low’s birthday is commemorated by the Girl Scouts as "Founder's Day."

1861–During the American Civil War, Union General Winfield Scott resigns as Commander of the United States Army, citing failing heatlh.

1863–The Maori Wars resume as British forces in New Zealand, led by General Duncan Cameron, begin their Invasion of the Waikato.

1864–Nevada becomes the 36th state of the United States of America.

1876–A monster cyclone ravages India, resulting in over 200,000 deaths.

1887–General and politician, Chiang Kai-shek, is born in Fenghua, Zhejiang, Qing China. He was the first President of the Republic of China.

1896–Singer, Ethel Waters, is born in Chester, Pennsylvania. She frequently performed jazz, big band, and pop music, on the Broadway stage and in concerts, although she began her career in the 1920s singing ther blues. Her best-known recordings include Stormy Weather, Taking a Chance on Love, Heat Wave, Supper Time, Am I Blue?, Cabin in the Sky, and His Eye is on the Sparrow. She appeared in the films Cabin in the Sky, Stage Door Canteen, Pinky, The Member of the Wedding, and The Sound and the Fury.

1902–James Joyce is awarded a Bachelor’s Degree in classical languages from University College in Dublin, Ireland.

1903–The Purdue Wreck, a railroad train collision in Indianapolis, Indiana, kills 17 people, including 14 players of the Purdue University football team.

1912–Singing cowgirl, Dale Evans, is born Lucille Wood Smith in Uvalde, Texas. Together with her husand, singing cowboy Roy Rogers, she enjoyed fame from recordings and the TV series The Roy Rogers Show. Evans wrote the well-known song Happy Trails. She appeared in the films Swing Your Partner, In Old Oklahoma, San Fernando Valley, Don’t Fence Me In, Sunset in El Dorado, Roll on Texas Moon, and Under Nevada Skies.

1913–The dedication of the Lincoln Highway takes place: it is the first automobile highway across United States.

1913–The Indianapolis Streetcar Strike and subsequent riot begins in Indiana.

1917–During World War I, the Battle of Beersheba is the "last successful cavalry charge in history."

1918–The dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire is completed.

1922–Benito Mussolini is made Prime Minister of Italy.

1922–Actress, Barbara Bel Geddes, is born in New York, New York. She appeared in the films The Long Night, I Remember Mama, Blood on the Moon, Panic in the Streets, Fourteen Hours, Vertigo, The Five Pennies, Five Branded Women, By Love Possessed, and Summertree.

1923–The first of 160 consecutive days of 100° Fahrenheit degree weather begins in Marble Bar, Western Australia.

1924–World Savings Day is announced in Milan, Italy, by the Members of the Association at the First International Savings Bank Congress (World Society of Savings Banks).

1926–The last issue of the independent Italian newspaper, Il Mondo, is published. It is thereafter suppressed by the Mussolini regime.

1926–Disc jockey and TV host, Jimmy Savile, is born James Wilson Vincent Savile in Leeds, West Riding of Yorkshire, England. He is best known for hosting the long-running BBC music chart show Top of the Pops. His media career began as a disc jockey at Radio Luxembourg in 1958, and on Tyne Tees Television in 1960, where he developed a reputation for eccentricity and flamboyance.

1926–Magician and escape artist, Harry Houdini, dies of peritonitis (secondary to a ruptured appendix) in Detroit, Michigan, at age 52. His last words before dying were reportedly, "I'm tired of fighting." Toward the end of his life, he spent much time attempting to debunk fake spiritualists and psychic mediums.

1936–Actor, Michael Landon, is born Eugene Maurice Orowitz in Queens, New York. He is best known for his starring roles on the TV shows Bonanza, Little House on the Prairie, and Highway to Heaven. He appeared in the films These Wilder Years, I Was a Teenage Werewolf, High School Confidential!, God’s Little Acre, and The Legend of Tom Dooley.

1937–Folksinger, Tom Paxton, is born Thomas Richard Paxton in Chicago, Illinois. He is noteworthy as a music educator as well as an advocate for folk singers to combine traditional songs with new compositions. Paxton's songs have been recorded by Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, The Weavers, Judy Collins, Sandy Denny, Joan Baez, Doc Watson, Harry Belafonte, The Seekers, Marianne Faithfull, The Kingston Trio, The Chad Mitchell Trio, John Denver, Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner, Willie Nelson, Flatt & Scruggs, The Fireballs, and Peter, Paul and Mary.

1938–During the Great Depression, in an effort to restore investor confidence, the New York Stock Exchange unveils a 15-point program aimed to upgrade protection for the investing public.

1940–The Battle of Britain ends, as the United Kingdom prevents a possible German invasion.

1940–Special Forces Staff Sergeant, Barry Sadler, is born in Carlsbad, New Mexico. He had a #1 hit with The Ballad of the Green Berets.

1941–Mount Rushmore is completed in South Dakota. Work on the monument, honoring Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt, had begun August 10, 1927. The monument was dedicated on March 3, 1933, although work continued. Sculptor, Gutzon Borglum, died in 1941, and his son, Lincoln, continued the project until funds ran out. Since then, no additional carving has been done, nor is any further work (other than maintenance) on the memorial planned.

1941–The destroyer, USS Reuben James, is torpedoed by a German U-boat near Iceland, killing more than 100 U.S. Navy sailors. It is the first U.S. Navy vessel sunk by enemy action in World War II.

1943–In World War II, an F4U Corsair accomplishes the first successful radar-guided interception by a U.S. Navy or Marine Corps aircraft.

1943–Football player, (Louis) Brian Piccolo, is born in Pittsfield, Pennsylvania. He was a running back for the Chicago Bears for four years (1965-1969). His story is told in the TV movie Brian’s Song.

1944–Erich Göstl, a member of the Waffen-SS, is awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, to recognise extreme battlefield bravery, after losing his face and eyes during the Battle of Normandy.

1952–The first hydrogen bomb, nicknamed Mike, is detonated at Almagordo, New Mexico.

1956–The United Kingdom and France begin bombing Egypt to force the reopening of the Suez Canal.

1956–Paul McCartney’s mother, Mary McCartney, dies of breast cancer in Liverpool, England, at age 47. Paul is devastated, and at age 14, buries his grief in his growing obsession with music. Mrs. McCartney, a nurse and midwife, had ignored pains in her chest, dismissing them as symptoms of menopause. By the time she had consulted a doctor and had undergone surgery, it was too late; the cancer had spread.

1961–In the Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin's body is removed from Vladimir Lenin's Tomb.

1963–An explosion at the Indiana State Fair Coliseum (present-day Pepsi Coliseum) in Indianapolis, kills 74 people and injures another 400, during an ice skating show. A faulty propane tank connection in a concession stand is blamed.

1963–The Beatles returning from a tour of Sweden, arrive at Heathrow Airport in London, England, and are greeted by hundreds of screaming fans and a mob of photographers and journalists. For the first time, the Beatles themselves realize the extent of their phenomenal popularity. American television host, Ed Sullivan, is at Heathrow when the Beatles arrive, and he is struck by the sight of Beatlemania in full swing. He decides to look into getting this group to appear on his U.S. television program.

1967–The South Vietnamese National Assembly elects Nguyen Van Thieu as President of South Vietnam.

1968–President Lyndon Johnson orders a halt to all U.S. bombing of North Vietnam, saying he hopes for fruitful peace negotiations.

1968–Rock photographer, Linda Eastman, moves to London, England, to live with Paul McCartney. Linda’s four-year-old daughter, Heather, joins them. Paul and Linda will marry on March 12, 1969, and Paul will adopt Heather that same year.

1970–Actor, Dennis Hopper, marries singer, Michelle Phillips, in Mexico. They would divorce eight days later.

1973–Three Provisional Irish Republican Army members escape from Mountjoy Prison in Dublin, Republic of Ireland, aboard a hijacked helicopter that lands in the exercise yard.

1976–Actress, Piper (Lisa) Perabo, is born in Dallas, Texas. She is best known for the lead role of Annie Walker in the spy-action TV series Covert Affairs. She has appeared in the films Coyote Ugly, Lost and Delirious, The Prestige, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, The Lazarus Project, and Looper.

1979–Western Airlines Flight 2605 crashes on landing in Mexico City, Mexico, killing 73 people.

1984–Indira Ghandi, Prime Minister of India, is assassinated by two Sikh separatists serving as her bodyguards. The assassination is in retaliation for her hard stance against Sikh separatism and the capture of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the most important Sikh shrine, in a bid to flush out armed terrorists within.

1985–Broadway producer, Joseph Papp, dies of cancer at age 70. He was the co-creator of A Chorus Line, and the founding force behind the Shakespeare in the Park series.

1988–John Houseman, film producer and actor, dies of spinal cancer in Malibu, California, at age 86. He is perhaps best known for the role of Professor Charles W. Kingsfield in the film The Paper Chase. He reprised the role of Kingsfield in the subsequent TV series adaptation of The Paper Chase. Houseman was also known for his commercials for the brokerage firm Smith Barney. He had a distinctive Mid-Atlantic English accent, in common with many actors of his generation. Houseman became the founding director of the Drama Division at The Juilliard School, and held this position from 1968 until 1976. The first graduating class in 1972, included Kevin Kline and Patti LuPone, with subsequent classes under Houseman's leadership including Christopher Reeve, Mandy Patinkin, and Robin Williams. He appeared in the films Seven Days in May, Rollerball, Three Days of the Condor, The Fog, My Bodyguard, Ghost Story, Bright Lights Big City, and Scrooged.

1993–Italian film director, Federico Fellini, dies of a stroke in Rome, Italy, at age 73. Known for his distinct style that blends fantasy and baroque images with earthiness, he is considered as one of the greatest and most influential filmmakers of the 20th century. His films include La Strada, The Nights of Cabiria, and Juliet of the Spirits.

1993–Actor, River Phoenix, dies of a drug overdose in West Hollywood, California, at age 23. He appeared in the films Explorers, Stand by Me, The Mosquito Coast, A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon, Little Nikita, Running on Empty, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, I love You to Death, Dogfight, My Own Private Idaho, Sneakers, and The Thing Called Love.

1994–American Eagle Flight 4184 crashes near Roselawn, Indiana, killing 68 people.

1996–TAM Transportes Aéreos Regionais Flight 402 crashes in São Paulo, Brazil, killing 99 people.

1998–Iraq announces it will no longer cooperate with United Nations weapons inspectors in regard to disarmament.

1999–Yachtsman, Jesse Martin, returns to Melbourne, Australia, after 11 months of circumnavigating the world... solo, non-stop, and unassisted.

1999–EgyptAir Flight 990 crashes into the Atlantic Ocean near Nantucket, killing all 217 people on board.

2000–Soyuz TM-31 launches, carrying the first resident crew to the International Space Station. The ISS has been crewed continuously since then.

2000–Singapore Airlines Flight 006 crashes on takeoff in Taipei killing 83 people.

2000–Journalist and screenwriter, Ring Lardner, Jr., dies in Manhattan, New York, at age 85. He was the last surviving member of the Hollywood Ten, who fought against blacklisting in the movie industry in the 1940s and 1950s. His films (some uncredited) include A Star Is Born, Woman of the Year, Laura, Forever Amber, The Cincinnati Kid, M*A*S*H, The Greatest, and Semi-Tough.

2002–A federal grand jury in Houston, Texas, indicts former Enron chief financial officer, Andrew Fastow, on 78 counts of wire fraud, money laundering, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice related to the collapse of his ex-employer.

2003–Mahathir bin Mohamad resigns as Prime Minister of Malaysia and is replaced by Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

2008–Historian and author, Studs Terkel, dies in Chicago, Illinois, at age 96. He received the Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction in 1985 for The Good War, and is best known for his oral histories of common Americans and for hosting a long-running radio show in Chicago.

2011–The global population of humans reaches seven billion. This day is now recognized by the United Nations as Seven Billion Day.

2012–Pope Benedict XVI leads an evening prayer service marking the 500th anniversary of the completion of Michelangelo's paintings in the Sistine Chapel. The ceiling measures 134 feet by 43 feet. Michelangelo created nine illustrations of the major events recounted in the Book of Genesis, including Creation and the Great Flood. The most famous of all the scenes is God creating Adam and transmitting life to him through an outstretched finger.

2012–Socialite and model, Teri Shields, dies of dementia in Manhattan, New York, at age 79. She managed her daughter Brooke Shields’ modeling and acting career.

2014–Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo crashes in the Mojave Desert during a test flight.

2015–Metrojet Flight 9268 is bombed over the northern Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, killing all 224 people on board.

2016–Michel Aoun is elected President of Lebanon, following 29 months of parliamentary deadlock to fill the position.

2017–The White House releases the official portraits of President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, which will hang in more than 7,000 federal agencies and office buildings across the country.

2017–U.S. senators question lawyers representing Facebook, Twitter, and Google about Russian activity on their platforms during the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

2017–A tunnel under construction at North Korea's nuclear test site collapses killing as many as 200 workers. A serious radiation leak is reported.

2017–A man in a rented pickup truck drives through a bike path along West Side Highway in Lower Manhattan, New York, killing eight people and injuring at least 11 others. The 29-year-old suspect, identified as Uzbekistani immigrant Sayfullo Saipov, is shot and taken into custody by police. Officials declare it an act of terrorism carried out for ISIS.


PHOTOS TOP TO BOTTOM: All Hollow's Eve; Richard Morris Hunt; Ethel Waters; Michael Landon; Brian Piccolo; Linda Eastman; Joseph Papp; Ring Lardner, Jr.; and Teri Shields with her daughter, Brooke Shields.

< Back 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Next >