Nostradamus (Michel de Nostredame) (December 14, 1503 – July 2, 1566)
French poet, apothecary, and self-proclaimed prophet Nostradamus began publishing his predictions in 1555. His quatrains, whether truly prophetic or misinterpreted to be so, have attained a cult following through the centuries. Although mainstream media has claimed that he has predicted major historical events, historians argue that his apparent accuracy is due to poor translation and misinterpretation.
Communist East Germany opened its borders on this day in 1989, allowing its citizens to travel freely to West Germany.
On this day in 1938, Nazi troops and sympathizers destroyed and looted 7,500 Jewish businesses, burned 267 synagogues, killed 91 Jews, and rounded up over 25,000 Jewish men in an event that became known as Kristallnacht or "Night of Broken Glass."
The great Northeast blackout occurred on this day in 1965, as several states and parts of Canada were hit by a series of power failures lasting up to 13 1/2 hours.
Dylan Marlais Thomas (October 27, 1914 – November 9, 1953)
Thomas came to be appreciated as a popular poet during his lifetime, though he found earning a living as a writer difficult. He began augmenting his income with reading tours and radio broadcasts.
At the post-mortem, the pathologist found three causes of death – pneumonia, brain swelling and a fatty liver. Despite his heavy drinking his liver showed no sign of cirrhosis. He was only 39.
Arthur William Matthew "Art" Carney (November 4, 1918 – November 9, 2003)
On this day in 1962, U.S. Ambassador Adlai Stevenson (below) presented photographic evidence to the United Nations Security Council. The photos were of Soviet missile bases in Cuba.
Adlai Ewing Stevenson II (February 5, 1900 – July 14, 1965)
The U.N. General Assembly voted to expel Taiwan and admit mainland China on this day in 1971.
On this day in 1983, U.S. troops and soldiers from six Caribbean nations invaded Grenada to restore order and provide protection to U.S. citizens after a recent coup within Grenada’s Communist (pro-Cuban) government.
The Charge of the Light Brigade took place during the Crimean War on this day in 1854. The British were winning the Battle of Balaclava when Lord James Cardigan received an order to attack the Russians. He took his troops into a valley and suffered 40 percent caualties. Later it was revealed that the order was the result of confusion and was not given intentionally.
Professional Golfer Payne Stewart was the U.S.Open champion in 1991 and 1999. His chartered jet lost pressurization shortly after takeoff, then crashed several hours later. He was 42.
Learjet 35 N47BA Prior to the crash in a field near Aberdeen, South Dakota.
Poet and author Geoffrey Chaucer(1343 – October 25, 1400)
A secret service agent thwarts as assassination attempt on President Gerald Ford on this date in 1975. He apparently spotted a loaded .45 caliber semi automatic handgun in the hands of Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme pointed directly at the President when he reached out and wrestled it way from her (below).
Jack Kerouac’s "On the Road" was first published on this day in 1957.
Jack Kerouac (Jean-Louis Kérouac) (March 12, 1922 – October 21, 1969)
Mother Teresa was known in the Catholic Church as Saint Teresa of Calcutta. A controversial figure during her life and after her death, Teresa was admired by many for her charitable work and was both praised and criticized for her opposition to abortion.
