President Gerald Ford announced a conditional amnesty program
for draft-evaders and deserters during the Vietnam War on this day
in 1974.

President Gerald R. Ford.

On this day in 1982, In west Beirut, the massacre of hundreds
of Palestinian men, women and children began in refugee
camps of the Lebanese Christian militiamen.

A painting of Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla.

The Mexicans began a revolt against Spanish rule on this day in 1810.
 
Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a Catholic priest of Spanish descent, declared Mexico’s independence from Spain in the small town of Dolores.

B.B. King (Riley B. King) (September 16, 1925 – May 14, 2015)

Legendary blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter B.B. King won a Grammy
Hall of Fame Award for his 1969 song "The Thrill is Gone." He grew up with
his grandmother because his mother was too poor to take care of him. His 
mother’s cousin gave him his first guitar.

ED DANAHUE

Hungary gave permission to thousands of East German refugees
and visitors to immigrate to West Germany on this day in 1989.

On this day in 1935.

Huey Pierce Long Jr. (August 30, 1893 – September 10, 1935)

On this day in 1846, Elias Howe received a patent for his sewing machine.

On this day in 1955, the TV series "Gunsmoke" premiered on CBS.

José Feliciano (José Montserrate Feliciano García) is 72 years old
today.

Puerto Rican born singer and songwriter José Feliciano is best known for
many international hits, including his rendition of The Doors‘ "Light My Fire"
and the best-selling Christmas single, "Feliz Navidad". He has released many albums over the years in both English and Spanish.

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)

CAMILLE BOHANNON

Adolf Hitler ( April 20, 1889 – April 30, 1945) 

THE CUBAN EXODUS BEGAN ON THIS DAY IN 1980.

On this day in 1939, Ted Williams made his Major League
Baseball debut with the Boston Red Sox.

TIM MAGUIRE