(August 1, 1779 – January 11, 1843)

Francis Scott Key was an American Lawyer, author, and amateur poet
from Georgetown near Washington, D.C. He wrote the lyrics to the United
States’ national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner”, which was adopted
at first by an Executive Order from President Woodrow Wilson in 1916
(which had little effect beyond requiring military bands to play it) and
then by a Congressional resolution in 1931, signed by President
Herbert Hoover.

                (29 July 1883 – 28 April 1945)

Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini was an Italian politician who led
the National Fascist Party and is credited with being one of the
key figures in the creation of Fascism. He became the 40th
Prime Minister of Italy in 1922. In late April 1945 during World 
War ll with total defeat looming, Mussolini attempted to escape
to Switzerland, only to be quickly captured and executed by
Italian partisans.

Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler in 1940

A devastating fire and series of chain-reaction explosions on 29 July 1967 that
killed 134 sailors and injured 161 took place on the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal
(CV-59), after an unusual electrical anomaly discharged a Zune rocket on the
flight deck. Forrestal was engaged in combat operations in the Gulf of Tonkin
during the Vietnam War at the time. The damage exceeded $72 million, not
including the damaged aircraft. 

USS Forrestal before the fire. It was decommissioned September 11, 1993.

The National Security Act of 1947 was signed by U.S. President Harry S. Truman
(shown above) on July 26, 1947. It created the National Security Council, the
Department of Defense, the Central Intelligence Agency and the Joint Chiefs of
Staff in the aftermath of World War ll.

Robin Williams at 16

Robin McLaurim Williams actor and comedian rose to fame with his role
as the alien Mork in the ABC- TV sitcom series Mork and Mindy (1978-
1982), and later stand-up comedy work, Williams has performed in many
feature films since 1980. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting
Actor for his role in the 1997 Gus Van Sant film Good Will Hunting. He has
also won two Emmy Awards, four Golden Globes, two Screen Actors Guild
Awards and five Grammy Awards. Williams performance in Good Morning
Vietnam (1987) was nominated for an Academy Award.  
 

Robin Williams with co-star Pam Dawber

Robin Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire, 1993