DIANE KEPLEY

On this day in 1957, nine black students attempt to attend
Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. The situation
turned potentially violent and President Eisenhower sent in
the national Guard to escort the students to school.

The Ford Motor Company began selling the Edsel on this day in
1957. The car was so unpopular that it was taken off the market
only two years.

Los Angeles, CA, was founded by Spanish settlers on this day in
1781. The original name was "El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora La Reina
de Los Angeles de Porciuncula," which translates as "The Town of
the Queen of Angels."

Statue depicting Governor Felipe de Neve, in Los Angeles Plaza.

On this day in 1888, George Eastman registered the name "Kodak"
and patented his roll-film camera (below). The camera took 100 exposures per roll.

The original Kodak camera, introduced by George Eastman.

George Eastman (July 12, 1854 – March 14, 1932)

On this day in 1972, swimmer Mark Spitz captured his seventh
Olympic gold medal in the 400-meter medley relay event at
Munich, Germany. Spitz was the first Olympian to win seven
gold medals.

Mark Andrew Spitz turned 67 on February 10.

Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter is 36 today.

Beyoncé is a  former member of the R&B girl group Destiny’s Child who
also became a widely successful solo artist. She has won a total of 22
Grammy Awards for songs such as "Single Ladies," "Drunk in Love"
and "Crazy in Love."  She won her first school talent show with her
rendition of "Imagine" by John Lennon.

CAMILLE BOHANNON

On this day in 1963

Medgar Wiley Evers (July 2, 1925 – June 12, 1963)

It was on this day in 1978.

In 1987, David Berkowitz claimed to have become an evangelical 
Christian while in prison. According to his personal testimony,
his conversion occurred after reading Psalm 34:6 in a fellow
inmates Bible.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum was dedicated in Cooperstown, New York.

TIM MAGUIRE

On this day in 1998 James Byrd (above) was killed in Jasper TX
when he was picked up three white men while hitch-hiking. He
was beaten and chained behind their pick-up truck (below) and
dragged for three miles.

Takeover was complete on this day in 1948.

On this day in 1972, the musical "Grease" opened on Broadway.

Grease closed on Feb. 23, 1997 to make way for a revival of Annie.

CAMILLE BOHANNON

All alone on stage, actress Marilyn Monroe sings ‘Happy Birthday’
to President John F. Kennedy, New York, on this day in 1962. 

President John Kennedy acknowledges cheers at Madison Square
Garden during his pre-birthday salute.

.

Jacqueline Lee "Jackie" Kennedy Onassis (Bouvier)
(July 28, 1929 – May 19, 1994)

   It was on this day in 1992.

Amy Elizabeth Fisher will turn 42 August 21.

Peter Dennis Blandford "Pete" Townshend is 72 years old today.

Pete Townshend had plans to become a graphic artist before his music career
took off after his grandmother bought him his first guitar in 1956.

After having a spiritual awakening and becoming a Baba disciple, he was one
of very few rock stars who opposed the use of psychedelic drugs.

ROSS SIMPSON

On this day in 1954

On this day in 1973.

The Buttonwood Agreement on this day in 1792 marked the
beginning of the New York Stock Exchange.Two dozen stock 
brokers met under a buttonwood tree in Lower Manhattan.