CAMILLE BOHANNON

On this day in 1972, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the death penalty
could constitute "cruel and unusual punishment." The ruling prompted
states to revise their capital punishment laws.

Israel removed barricades, re-unifying Jerusalem on this day in
1967.

The shuttle Atlantis (bottom) and the Russian space station Mir docked,
forming the largest man-made satellite ever to orbit the Earth on this
day in 1995.

Rosemary Clooney (May 23, 1928 – June 29, 2002)

Singer Rosemary Clooney came to prominence in the
early 1950s with the song "Come On-a My House". She
received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in
2002.

Katharine Houghton Hepburn (May 12, 1907 – June 29, 2003)

Actress Katharine Hepburn was a leading lady in Hollywood for
more than 60 years. She received four Academy Awards for Best
Actress—a record for any performer. In 1999, Hepburn was named
by the American Film Institute as the greatest female star of Classic
Hollywood Cinema.

TIM MAGUIRE

Archduke Ferdinand and his wife Sophie one hour before they would be
shot a killed by Serb nationalist Gavrilo Princip as they drove through the
streets of Sarajevo on this day in 1914.

Six-year-old Elián González returned to Cuba from the U.S. with his father
on this day in 2000. The child had been the center of an international
custody dispute.

Elián González turned 23 on December 6.

Mike Tyson was disqualified for biting Evander Holyfield’s
ear after three rounds of their WBA heavyweight title fight
in Las Vegas, NV on this day in 1997.

Mike Tyson (top) biting Evander Holyfield’s ear. 

Mel Brooks (Melvin Kaminsky) is 91 years old today.

As a teenager, Mel Brooks was taught the drums by the great
Buddy Rich. In 1961, his comedy career took a big leap forward
when he and fellow comic legend Carl Reiner created a comedy
sketch called The 2000 Year Old Man.

In 2000, the American Film Institute released a list of the top 100
comedy films of all-time and Brooks had three films in the top 20:
Blazing Saddles (1974) (#6), The Producers (1968) (#11) and
Young Frankenstein (1974) (#13).

Mel Brooks in Spaceballs (1987)

The Kraft Program debuted June 26, 1933, as a musical-variety program
featuring orchestra leader Paul Whiteman sponsored by Kraft Food
products. During its first year the show went through a series of name
changes, including Kraft Musical Revue, until it finally settled on Kraft
Music Hall in 1934. Whiteman remained the host until December 6, 1935
when Ford Bond became the announcer. Bing Crosby took over as the 
master of ceremonies January 2, 1936. He hosted the show until May 9,
1946.

Al Jolson (Asa Yoelson)
(May 26, 1886 – October 23, 1950)

Carly Elisabeth Simon was born in The Bronx, New York City New York.

Singer, songwriter, and musician Carly Simon released the hit song
"You’re So Vain," which was listed at #72 on the Billboard’s Hot 100’s
list of the top 100 songs from the chart’s first fifty years, from 1958
through 2008. She also recorded "Nobody Does It Better," and "Let
the River Run," among others. She and her sister were briefly
part of the duo the Simon Sisters.

The song "The Tracks of My Tears" was written by Smokey Robinson, Pete
Moore, and Marv Tarplin. It is a multiple award-winning hit R&B song and
was also chosen as one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that
Shaped Rock and Roll.

William "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. turned 77 on February 19.