MIKE GRACIA

On this day in 2001, the U.S. and Great Britain began airstrikes in Afghanistan in response to that state’s support of terrorism and
Osama bin Laden. The act was the first military action taken in
response to the terrorist attacks on the U.S. on September 11,
2001.

A cross marked the fence where 21-year-old Matthew Shepard
was robbed, beaten and left to die on this day in 1998. He was
lured by two men pretending to also be gay. Shepard was taken
to a hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado, where he died six days
later from severe head injuries. The fence has since been torn
down.

Matthew Wayne "Matt" Shepard
(December 1, 1976 – October 12, 1998)

Shepard’s death inspired the play The Laramie Project, later
turned into a television movie, countless songs, a foundation
devoted to his memory along with a political lobbying effort
that pressed for, and eventually obtained, a new federal hate
crimes statute named after him. 

From left: Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney
were charged with the murder of Matthew Shepard
and are both serving long prison terms.

John J Mellencamp (previously known as John Cougar Mellencamp)
is 67 years old today.

Singer-songwriter John Mellencamp is best known for his #1 hit song, "Jack
& Diane." He has been nominated for more than ten Grammy Awards and
was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008.

ROSS SIMPSON

On this day in 1973, Egypt and Syria attacked Israel in an attempt to
win back territory that had been lost in the third Arab-Israel war. The
Support for Israel led to a devastating oil embargo against many
nations including the U.S. and Great Britain on October 17, 1973. It
lasted 2 weeks.

On this day in 1927, "The Jazz Singer" opened in New York starring
Al Jolson. The film was based on the short story "The Day of
Atonement" by Sampson Raphaelson. As the first feature-length
motion picture with not only a synchronized recorded music score,
but also lip-synchronous singing and speech in several isolated sequences, its release heralded the commercial ascendance of
sound films and ended the silent film era.

MIKE GRACIA

In a debate between candidates for vice president of the United States,  
Democratic Lloyd Bentsen (left) told Republican Dan Quayle (right),
"You’re no Jack Kennedy."

The Los Angeles Dodgers were winning 2-1 and Barry Bonds had
four-hundred ninety-nine career home runs. Then in the bottom of
the eighth inning, Bonds (above) hit a 2-0 fastball from reliever
Terry Adams into McCovey Cove giving the Giants a 3-2 lead, an
eventual victory, and a spectacular five-hundredth career home
run.

Barry Lamar Bonds turned 54 July 24.

CAMILLE BOHANNON

It was on this day in 1995.

Prosecutors Marcia Clark and Christopher Darden seek life without parole for O.J.

In baseball, the "Shot Heard ‘Round the World" was a game-winning home run by New York Giants outfielder and third baseman Bobby Thomson off Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Ralph Branca at the Polo Grounds in New York City on October 3, 1951, to win the National
League (NL) pennant.

Thomson hits the ‘Shot Heard ‘Round the World’ at The Polo Grounds
in New York City .

Robert (Bobby) Brown Thomson
(October 25, 1923 – August 16, 2010)

The children’s television series “Captain Kangaroo” aired weekday mornings on the CBS network from October 3, 1955, until December
8, 1984, making it the longest-running nationally broadcast children’s television program of its day.

Robert James Keeshan
(June 27, 1927 – January 23, 2004)

On this day in 1955, "The Mickey Mouse Club" premiered on
ABC-TV and ran until 1959.

 
Walt Disney (center) is surrounded by members of "The Mickey
Mouse Club" cast.

Head Mouseketeer Jimmie Dodd with his Mouse Guitar.

CAMILLE BOHANNON

On this day in 1919,  President Woodrow Wilson suffered a massive
stroke that left him partially paralyzed.  
            

Final report on President Wilson’s condition written by Dr. Dercum.

It was on this day in 1985.

"Peanuts," the comic strip created by Charles M. Schulz, appeared 
for the first time in seven newspapers on this day in 1950.

Charles Monroe Schulz  (November 26, 1922 – February 12, 2000)

Sting (Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner) is 67 years old today.

Multi-instrumentalist and singer for The Police, Sting is known for such
hits as "Don’t Stand So Close to Me" and "Message in a Bottle." He also
became a successful solo artist, releasing his first album The Dream of
the Blue Turtles in 1985, followed by ten more albums within the next
two decades. 

Sting (left) with other members of The Police.