Vera Katz (Vera Pistrak) ( August 3, 1933 – December 11, 2017)

Vera Katz was the first woman to serve as Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives (1985–1990) and was the 49th mayor of Portland, Oregon
(1993 – 2005). Since leaving office, she had continued to battle cancer.

Vera Katz was born in Düsseldorf, Germany. She immigrated to the United
States with her family after World War II and settled in New York City where
she grew up. Katz moved to Portland, Oregon in 1962. 

TIM MAGUIRE

It was on this day in 1963.

On this day in 1986, President Ronald Reagan and Attorney Gen.
Edwin Meese revealed that profits from secret arms sales to Iran
had been diverted to rebels in Nicaragua. The National Security
Advisor John Poindexter resigned and Oliver North was fired.

From left: President Reagan and Attorney Gen. Edwin Meese.

During the Revolutionary War on this day in 1783, the British
evacuated New York. It was their last military position in the 
United States.

A group of fishermen from Florida spotted Elián Gonzales off the
coast of Fort Lauderdale. He was completely alone, floating in an
inner tube. He was rescued on this day in 1999.

The boat that Elian and his mother, and 10 other people had been traveling on to the United States from Cuba had been ripped apart
in the rough seas, and he was one of the only survivors.      

Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe, 1954

Baseball’s Joe Dimaggio was born on this day in 1914.

CAMILLE BOHANNON

 
On this day in 1973, President Nixon told an Associated Press
managing editors meeting in Orlando, FL, "people have got to
know whether or not their president is a crook. Well, I’m not a
crook."

On this day in 1558, Elizabeth I ascended the English throne upon
the death of Queen Mary Tudor.

The Suez Canal opened in Egypt, linking the Mediterranean and the
Red seas on this day in 1869.

.
The Suez Canal today.

The U.S. Congress held its first session in Washington, DC, in
the partially completed Capitol building on this day in 1800.

THE THINKER

French Sculptor Auguste Rodin
(François Auguste René Rodin)
(November 12, 1840 – November 17, 1917)

THE KISS

Martin Charles Scorsese is 75 years old today.

Acclaimed director Martin Scorsese’s films frequently feature gangsters
and focus on the world of crime. His iconic films include Taxi Driver (1976)
Raging Bull (1980) and Goodfellas (1990). In 2006, he won his first Academy
Award for Best Director for his film The Departed after previously being
nominated five times.

            2004

CAMILLE BOHANNON

Union Gen. William T. Sherman and his troops began their "March
to the Sea" during the U.S. Civil War on this day in 1864.

William Tecumseh Sherman (February 8, 1820 – February 14, 1891)

Zebulon Montgomery Pike
(January 5, 1779 – April 27, 1813)

On this day in 1777, The Continental Congress approved the
Articles of Confederation, precursor to the U.S. Constitution.

In Washington, DC. on this day in 1969, a quarter of a million
protesters staged a peaceful demonstration against the
Vietnam War.

A judge in Mineola, NY, sentenced Joey Buttafuoco (right) to six
months in jail for the statutory rape of Amy Fisher (left). Fisher
was serving a prison sentence for shooting and wounding
Buttafuoco’s wife, Mary Jo.

Amy Elizabeth Fisher turned 43 August 21.

                                              

                                          Joseph A. Buttafuoco turned 61 March 11.

ROSS SIMPSON

The first of the Federalist Papers were published in the New York Independent
on this day in 1787. The series of 85 essays, written by Alexander Hamilton,
James Madison and John Jay, were published under the pen name "Publius."

Theodore Roosevelt Jr. (October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919)

On this day in 1978, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat (right) and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin (left) were named winners of the Nobel Peace Prize
for their progress toward achieving a Middle East accord.     

It was on this day in 2004.

John Marwood Cleese 78 years old today.

Monty Python comic actor and writer John Cleese played a role in A Fish
Called Wanda (1988). His most timeless works include Monty Python and
the Holy Grail (1975), The Meaning of Life (1983), and Life of Brian (1979).