On  this day in 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected the 16th president of the
United States over a deeply divided Democratic Party, becoming the first Republican to win the presidency. Lincoln received only 40 percent of the
popular vote but handily defeated the three other candidates: Southern
Democrat John C. Breckinridge, Constitutional Union candidate John Bell,
and Northern Democrat Stephen Douglas, a U.S. senator for Illinois.

Lincoln, a Kentucky-born lawyer and former Whig representative to
Congress, first gained national stature during his campaign against
Stephen Douglas of Illinois for a U.S. Senate seat in 1858.

1860 Election Facts:

• Welcome: Minnesota and Oregon become states during this
  election cycle
• Original 13 States control fewer than 50% of total Electoral
  Votes for first time
• Lincoln received only about 40% of the popular vote in a
  divided nation on the brink of Civil War
• New Jersey: Douglas won the popular vote on a Fusion
  slate comprised of 3 of his electors and 2 each for
  Breckinridge and Bell. Apparently – the history is a bit
  murky – some voters received a ballot with seven Douglas
  electors, taking votes from the Breckinridge/Bell electors.
  Bottom line – the 3 Douglas electors on the Fusion slate
  received the most votes, while the most votes for the four
  remaining spots went to Lincoln’s electors.
• Issues of the Day: Slavery (Dred Scott decision, Secession)

SANDY KOZEL

Analysts have argued the election of 1968 was a major realigning election
as it permanently disrupted the New Deal Coalition that had dominated
presidential politics for 36 years.

MIKE  GRACIA

On this day in 1947, Howard Hughes flew his "Spruce Goose," a
huge wooden airplane, for eight minutes in California. It was the
plane’s first and only flight. The "Spruce Goose," nicknamed
because of the white-gray color of the spruce used to build it,
never went into production.

Howard Robard Hughes Jr.
(December 24, 1905 – April 5, 1976)

SANDY KOZEL

On this day in 1517, Martin Luther posted the 95 Theses on the door of the Wittenberg Palace Church. The event marked the start of the Protestant Reformation in Germany.

Martin Luther (November 10, 1483 – February 18, 1546) 

CARLATA BRADLEY

On this day in 2001, President George W. Bush signs the renewal of
the U.S. Patriot Act after a long battle with Congress.

Pat Sajak (Patrick Leonard Sajdak) is 73 today. 

Sajak is a former weatherman and talk show host, best
known as the host of the syndicated television game
show Wheel of Fortune.

“Wheel of Fortune” hosts Pat Sajak and Vanna White.