SANDY KOZEL

Stand-up comedian Jerome (Jerry) Allen Seinfeld is 65 today.

MIKE GRACIA

On this day in 2001, the U.S. and Great Britain began airstrikes in Afghanistan in response to that state’s support of terrorism and
Osama bin Laden. The act was the first military action taken in
response to the terrorist attacks on the U.S. on September 11,
2001.

A cross marked the fence where 21-year-old Matthew Shepard
was robbed, beaten and left to die on this day in 1998. He was
lured by two men pretending to also be gay. Shepard was taken
to a hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado, where he died six days
later from severe head injuries. The fence has since been torn
down.

Matthew Wayne "Matt" Shepard
(December 1, 1976 – October 12, 1998)

Shepard’s death inspired the play The Laramie Project, later
turned into a television movie, countless songs, a foundation
devoted to his memory along with a political lobbying effort
that pressed for, and eventually obtained, a new federal hate
crimes statute named after him. 

From left: Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney
were charged with the murder of Matthew Shepard
and are both serving long prison terms.

John J Mellencamp (previously known as John Cougar Mellencamp)
is 67 years old today.

Singer-songwriter John Mellencamp is best known for his #1 hit song, "Jack
& Diane." He has been nominated for more than ten Grammy Awards and
was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008.

DAVID MELENDY

Rodney King was severely beaten by Los Angeles police officers on
this day in1991. The scene was captured on amateur video.

The deadly L.A. rioting began almost immediately after jurors set the above officers, involved in the Rodney King beating, free on April 29,
1992.

Alexander Graham Bell (March 3, 1847 – August 2, 1922)

Alexander Graham Bell was a Scottish-born scientist, inventor, engineer,
and innovator who is credited with patenting the first practical telephone
and founding the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T)
in 1885.

Alexander Graham Bell places the first New York to Chicago call in
1892.

The "Star Spangled Banner," written by Francis Scott Key, was
adopted as the American national anthem on this day in 1931. The
song was originally a poem known as "Defense of Fort McHenry."

The first issue of Time magazine was published on this day in
1923 and featured Speaker Joseph G. Cannon on the cover. The
magazine was founded and originally run by Henry Luce (below).

Henry Robinson Luce
(April 3, 1898 – February 28, 1967)

Steve Fossett Completed his solo Around The World Flight without
refueling on this day in 2005.

James Stephen “Steve” Fossett
(April 22, 1944 – c. September 3, 2007)

MIKE  GRACIA

On this day in 20001, the U.S. and Great Britain began airstrikes in Afghanistan
in response to that state’s support of terrorism and Osama bin Laden. The act
was the first military action taken in response to the terrorist attacks on the
U.S. on September 11, 2001. 

On this day in 1985.

On this day in 1991.

Clarence Thomas turned 69 on June  23.

It was on this day in 1998.

The musical "Cats" opened at the Winter Garden Theatre on this day
in 1982. In 1997 the show became the longest running show in
Broadway history.

John J Mellencamp  (John Cougar Mellencamp) is 66 today.

Singer-songwriter John Mellencamp is best known for his #1 hit song,
"Jack & Diane." He has been nominated for more than ten Grammy
Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008.

DAVID MELENDY

March 3, 1991 – The LAPD beating of Rodney King.

Alexander Graham Bell (March 3, 1847 – August 2, 1922)

Scientist, innovator, and inventor Alexander Graham Bell was not
only known for patenting the first practical telephone, but he also
had groundbreaking work in optical telecommunications, hydrofoils,
and aeronautics and served as the second president of the National
Geographic Society.

First issue of Time magazine on this day in 1923.