CARLATA BRADLEY

During World War II on this day in 1943, the remainder of Nazi forces from the Battle of Stalingrad surrendered to the Soviets. Stalingrad
has since been renamed Volgograd.

On this day in 1971, Idi Amin assumed power in Uganda after a coup
that ousted President Milton Obote.

James Augustine Aloysius Joyce
(February 2, 1882- January 13, 1941)

James Joyce was an Irish novelist, short story writer, and poet. He is
regarded as one of the most influential and important authors of the
20th century. Joyce is best known for his landmark 1922 work, Ulysses.

Eugene Curran Kelly (August 23, 1912 – February 2, 1996)

Gene Kelly was a dancer, actor of film, stage, and television,
singer, film director, producer, and choreographer. He was
known for his energetic and athletic dancing style.

Joan of Arc (Jeanne d’Arc)  (January 6, 1412 – May 30, 1431) 

The capture of “The Maid of Orléans”

Samuel Morse publicly demonstrated the telegraph for the first time
on this day in 1838.

         (John T. McCoy’s watercolor depiction of the round-the-world flight.)

The first commercial around-the-world airline flight took place on
this day in 1942. Pan American Airlines was the company that
made history with the feat.

On this day in 1994, figure skater Nancy Kerrigan was clubbed on 
the right leg by an assailant at Cobo Arena in Detroit, MI. Four
men were later sentenced to prison for the attack, including
Tonya Harding’s ex-husband.

Shown from left: Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan.

John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie (October 21, 1917 – January 6, 1993)

Dizzy Gillespie’s Trumpet.

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)

 
   
Drummer Ring Starr (above) first performed as a member of the Beatles at
a dance for the Horticultural Society at Port Sunlight, U.K. He said the
drums were not his.   

Ringo Starr (Richard Starkey) turned 77 on July 7.

The song “The Twist” became a national sensation after Chubby
Checker (above) performed it on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand
(below).

Chubby Checker (Ernest Evans) will be 76 years old in October.