ED DANAHUE

Saddam Hussein was executed on this day in 2006.

About 600 people died on this day in 1903 when fire broke out at the Iroquois Theater in Chicago, IL.

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) was formed on this
day in 1922. Vladimir Lenin (above) proclaimed the establishment.

The United Auto Workers union staged its first sit-down strike, at the Fisher Body Plant in Flint, MI. on this day in 1936.

On this day in 1948, the musical "Kiss Me Kate" opened at the New Century Theatre in New York City. Cole Porter composed the music
for the classic play that ran for 1,077 performances.

Alfred Drake, Patricia Morison, and Julie Wilson.

Bo Diddley  (Ellas Otha Bates)  (December 30, 1928 – June 2, 2008)

Singer, guitarist, songwriter and music producer Bo Diddley  who played a
key role in the transition from the blues to rock and roll. He influenced many
artists, including Elvis Presley, the Beatles, and the Rolling Stones with his 
use of African rhythms and a signature beat.

ROSS SIMPSON

On this day in 1979, Soviet forces seized control of Afghanistan
and Babrak Karmal succeeded President Hafizullah Amin, who
was overthrown and executed. 

On this day in 1831, Charles Darwin set out on a voyage to the Pacific aboard the HMS Beagle (above). Darwin’s discoveries during the trip 
helped him form the basis of his theories on evolution.

NYC is home to the largest movie theater in the world: Radio
City Music Hall. It opened in Rockefeller Center on this day
1932.

James Barrie’s play "Peter Pan" premiered in London on this day
in 1904.

Sir James Matthew Barrie (May 9, 1860 – June 19, 1937)

SANDY KOZEL

U.S. forces captured ousted dictator Saddam Hussein on this
day in 2003.

Authorities in Poland imposed martial law on this day in 1981 in an 
attempt to crackdown on the Solidarity labor movement. Martial law 
ended formally in 1983.

In America on this day in 1862, an estimated 11,000 Northern
troops were killed or wounded when Union forces were defeated
by the Confederates under the command of General Robert E.
Lee, at the Battle of  Fredericksburg.

The Korean war campaign for the Chosin Reservoir began on
this day in 1950.

Richard Wayne Van Dyke is 92 years old today.

Van Dyke of The Dick Van Dyke Show on CBS from 1961 – 1966
and Diagnosis: Murder on CBS from 1993 – 2001. He won a SAG
Life Achievement Award in 2012 and a Disney Legend Award in
1998. He starred in the 1964 classic Mary Poppins and was also
cast in the film’s sequel, Mary Poppins Returns, which is slated
for a 2018 release.

During the late 1940s, Van Dyke was a radio DJ in Danville, IL.
and served as a radio announcer in the United States Army Air
Corps during World War II and later transferred to the Special
Services as an entertainer. 

ED DANAHUE

On this  day in 1955, Rosa Parks, a black seamstress in Montgomery,
AL, refused to give up her seat to a white man. Mrs. Parks was
arrested marking a milestone in the civil rights movement in the
U.S.        

Sergei M. Kirov, a collaborator of Joseph Stalin, was assassinated
at the Leningrad party headquarters on this day in 1934.

Beatlemania arrived in America on this day in 1963 with the release
of the single “I Want to Hold Your Hand”.

Heywood "Woody" Allen (Allan Stewart Konigsberg) is 82
years old today.

Iconic writer and director Woody Allen is known for his unique blend
of comedy and style. His most celebrated films include Annie Hall
(1977), Manhattan (1979), And Hannah and Her Sisters (1986). He
performed card and magic tricks in his youth and underwent the legal
process of changing his name to Heywood Allen when he was 17.

CAMILLE BOHANNON

Joseph Stalin became the undisputed ruler of the Soviet Union
on this day in 1927. Leon Trotsky (below) was expelled from the
Communist Party leading to Stalin coming to power.

Leon Davidovich Trotsky

During World War II, the naval battle of Guadalcanal began between Japanese and American forces on this day in 1942. The Americans
won a major victory.

Canadian singer-songwriter, and musician Neil Percival Young
is 72 years old today.

After embarking on a music career in the 1960s, Neil Young moved to Los
Angeles, where he formed Buffalo Springfield with Stephen Stills, Richie
Furay and others.