SANDY KOZEL

On this day in 1962.

Marilyn Monroe (Norma Jeane Mortenson)
(June 1, 1926 – August 5, 1962)

On Bedloe’s Island in New York Harbor on this day in 1884, the cornerstone for the Statue of Liberty was laid.

On this day in 1957, American Bandstand made its network debut
on ABC-TV. The show was hosted by Dick Clark. Until this day the
show had been a local show in Philadelphia since 1952.

Richard Burton (Richard Walter Jenkins Jr.)
(November 10, 1925 – August  5, 1984)

Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor in Cléopâtre  (1963)

Ginger Rogers (Virginia Katherine McMath) Independence, MO. 
(July 16, 1911 – April 25, 1995)

Ginger Rogers appeared as the dance partner of Fred Astaire in a number
of classic movie musicals, such as Top Hat, Swing Time, and The Gay
Divorce. Her classic line, "Cigarette me, big boy," in the 1930 film Young
Man of Manhattan became a much-quoted catchphrase during the 1930s.

Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire danced together in 10 movies.

ROSS SIMPSON

It was on this day in 1940.

During World War II, the battle for Okinawa officially ended on this
day in 1945.   

On this day in 1938.

Fred Astaire (Frederick Austerlitz) (May 10, 1899 – June 22, 1987)

CAMILLE BOHANNON

It took place on this day in 1953.

The emancipation of slaves was proclaimed in Texas on this day
in 1865. It is the oldest known celebrating commemorating the
ending of slavery in the country.

Paula Julie Abdul is 55 years young today.

Paula Abdul was inspired to perform by dancer Gene Kelly. She started her
career as an LA Lakers cheerleader and then became a  choreographer. She
won the Lifetime Achievement Award for choreography at The Carnival:
Choreographer’s Ball in 2013.

ED DANAHUE

On this day in 1858, in a speech in Springfield, IL, Senate candidate Abraham Lincoln said the slavery issue had to be resolved. He
declared, "A house divided against itself cannot stand."

On this day in 1963, 26-year-old Valentina Tereshkova went into
orbit aboard the Vostok 6 spacecraft for three days. She was the
first female space traveler.

Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova turned
80 in March.

It was on this day in 1961, Rudolf Nureyev defected from the
Soviet Union while in Paris, traveling with the Leningrad Kirov
Ballet.