SANDY KOZEL

Central Pacific and Union Pacific Rail Roads meet in Promontory, UT. 
on this day in 1869. A golden spike was driven in the rail during the      
celebration of the first transcontinental railroad in the U.S.

The Nazis staged massive public book burnings in Germany on this
day in 1933. The books targeted for burning were those viewed as
being subversive or representing ideologies opposed to Nazism.

On this day in 1941, Rudolf Hess, Adolf Hitler’s deputy, parachuted
into Scotland on what he claimed was a peace mission.

Allied military and locals pose with the remains of Rudolph Hess’ Messerschmitt ME-110 after it crash-landed near the Scottish
village of Eaglesham.

Nelson Mandela made history by becoming the first black president
of South Africa after more than three centuries of white rule. He was sworn in to office on this day in 1994.

Convicted of 33 murders, John Wayne Gacy Jr. was sentenced to
death on March 13, 1980, for 12 of those killings. He spent 14 years
on death row before he was executed by lethal injection at Stateville Correctional Center on this day in 1994.  

Gacy during a TV interview in 1992.

Bono (Paul David Hewson) is 58 today. Born in Dublin, Ireland.

Bono is best known as the lead vocalist and primary lyricist of rock band U2
which earned over 20 Grammy Awards and has sold of 150 million records.

SANDY KOZEL

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for sale an
oral birth-control pill for the first time on this day in 1960.

Chairman Newton N. Minow testifies before a Senate subcommittee.

Americans Richard Byrd (left) and Floyd Bennett (right) became the
first men to fly an airplane over the North Pole on this day in 1926.

Myron Leon "Mike" Wallace (May 9, 1918 – April 7, 2012)

Media personality Mike Wallace was a journalist, and game show
host. He interviewed a wide range of prominent newsmakers during
his seven decade career. He was one of the original correspondents
for CBS‘ 60 Minutes, which debuted in 1968. Wallace retired as a
regular full-time correspondent in 2006, but appeared occasionally
on the television series until 2008.

William Martin Joel is 69 years old today. He was born
in The Bronx, New York City.

Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and pianist Billy
Joel gained fame for his song "Piano Man" and became the
third best-selling solo artist in the United States.

From 1973 to 2013, he wrote 33 top forty hits, including "Just
the Way You Are," which hit #3 in 1977.

He learned boxing to defend himself from bullies, and won 22
bouts in the amateur Golden Gloves circuit. He played the
piano at bars to help support his mother while in high school.

SANDY KOZEL

President Harry Truman announcing World War II had ended in
Europe.

A V-E Day Celebration in New York City.

The Royal Family with Prime Minister Winston Churchill on the
balcony of Buckingham Palace on VE Day.

Militant American Indians who had held the South Dakota hamlet of Wounded Knee for 10 weeks surrendered on this day in 1973.

Members of the American Indian Movement keep guard during the occupation of Wounded Knee.

On this day in 1886, Pharmacist Dr. John Styth Pemberton invented
what would later be called "Coca-Cola."

Let It Be is the twelfth and final studio album by the Beatles. It was released on on this day in 1970, almost a month after the group’s
break-up.

From the last Beatles photo shoot.

The Beatles’ last public performance, on the roof of Apple Records
in London.

SANDY KOZEL

The Lusitania, a civilian ship, was sunk by a German submarine on during WW l on this day in 1915. A total of 1,201 people were killed.

Germany signed unconditional surrender ending World War II on
this day in 1945. It would take effect the next day.

On this day in 1954, French Colonial Forces surrendered to the
Viet Minh at Dien Bien Phu after 55 days of fighting.

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (May 7, 1840 – November 6, 1893)  

Tchaikovsky is famous for composing "The Nutcracker" ballet, as
well as numerous symphonies, concertos, operas, ballets, and
chamber-music pieces, he’s remembered as one of classical
music’s most popular composers. He began taking piano lessons
when he was five and was able to read music at the same level as
his first piano teacher in only three years.

Bust sculpture monument to composer Peter Tchaikovsky near
the music school in Yekaterinburg, Russia.

Glenn Miller and His Orchestra recorded "Chattanooga Choo Choo”
on this day in 1941.

SANDY KOZEL

On this day in 1937, the German airship Hindenburg crashed and
burned in Lakehurst, NJ. Thirty-six people, of the 97 on board,
were killed.

Japanese troops landing on Corregidor.

On this day in 1942, during World War II, Japanese military seized
control of the Philippines. About 15,000 Americans and Filipinos
on Corregidor surrendered to the Japanese.