The Cuban Missile Crisis began on October 14, 1962, bringing the United
States and the Soviet Union to the brink of nuclear conflict. Photographs
taken by a high-altitude U-2 spy plane (above) offered incontrovertible
evidence that Soviet-made medium-range missiles in Cuba—capable of
carrying nuclear warheads—were now stationed 90 miles off the
American coastline.
U-2 Spy Plane
DIANE KEPLEY
On this day in 1957, nine black students attempt to attend
Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. The situation
turned potentially violent and President Eisenhower sent in
the national Guard to escort the students to school.
The Ford Motor Company began selling the Edsel on this day in
1957. The car was so unpopular that it was taken off the market
only two years.
Los Angeles, CA, was founded by Spanish settlers on this day in
1781. The original name was "El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora La Reina
de Los Angeles de Porciuncula," which translates as "The Town of
the Queen of Angels."
Statue depicting Governor Felipe de Neve, in Los Angeles Plaza.
On this day in 1888, George Eastman registered the name "Kodak"
and patented his roll-film camera (below). The camera took 100 exposures per roll.
The original Kodak camera, introduced by George Eastman.
George Eastman (July 12, 1854 – March 14, 1932)
On this day in 1972, swimmer Mark Spitz captured his seventh
Olympic gold medal in the 400-meter medley relay event at
Munich, Germany. Spitz was the first Olympian to win seven
gold medals.
Mark Andrew Spitz turned 67 on February 10.
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter is 36 today.
Beyoncé is a former member of the R&B girl group Destiny’s Child who
also became a widely successful solo artist. She has won a total of 22
Grammy Awards for songs such as "Single Ladies," "Drunk in Love"
and "Crazy in Love." She won her first school talent show with her
rendition of "Imagine" by John Lennon.
CAMILLE BOHANNON
Gaius Julius Caesar, born on this day in 100 B.C.
Caesar was a Roman politician, general, and notable author of Latin prose. He
played a critical role in the events that led to the demise of the Roman Republic
and the rise of the Roman Empire.
Russian republic president Boris N. Yeltsin announced
his resignation from the the Soviet Communist Party on
this day in 1990.
Henry David Thoreau (July 12, 1817 – May 6, 1862)
Thoreau was an American essayist, poet, philosopher,
abolitionist, naturalist, tax resister, development critic,
surveyor, and historian. A leading transcendentalist,
Thoreau is best known for his book Walden, a reflection
upon simple living in natural surroundings, and an essay
on "Civil Disobedience"
George Eastman (July 12, 1854 – March 14, 1932)
Eastman was an American entrepreneur who founded the Eastman Kodak
Company and popularized the use of roll film.
Oscar Greeley Clendenning Hammerstein II
(July 12, 1895 – August 23, 1960)
Hammerstein was an American librettist, theatrical producer,
and theatre director of musicals for almost forty years. He
won eight Tony Awards and two Academy Awards for Best
Original Song. Oscar Hammerstein is best known for his
collaborations with Richard Rodgers, which include Oklahoma!
(1943)’, Carousel (1943), South Pacific (1949), The King and I,
(1951), and The Sound of Music (1959).
TIM MAGUIRE
Battle of the Little Bighorn began on this day in 1876, when the US 7th
Cavalry under Brevet Major General George Armstrong Custer wiped
out by Sioux and Cheyenne warriors led by Chiefs Crazy Horse and
Sitting Bull in what has become famously known as "Custer’s Last
Stand."
John Dean began his testimony before the Senate Watergate
Committee on this day in 1973.
Jacques-Yves Cousteau (June 11, 1910 – June 25, 1997)
Jaques Cousteau was a French naval officer, explorer, conservationist,
filmmaker, innovator, scientist, photographer, author and researcher who
studied the sea and all forms of life in water. He co-developed the Aqua-
lung and pioneered marine conservation.
The album cover of the Beatles‘ "Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club
Band" was staged and photographed on this day. The concept for
the cover was called "people we like” and was created by Jann
Haworth and Peter Blake. They won the Grammy Award for Best
Album Cover, Graphic Arts in 1967 for their work.
