SANDY KOZEL

On this day in 1992, rioting began after a jury decision to acquit four
Los Angeles policemen (below) in the Rodney King beating trial. A
total of 54 people were killed in 3 days.

Rodney King, central figure in L.A. riots.

On this day in 1945, the Nazi death camp, Dachau, was liberated and
on the same day in a bunker in Berlin, Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun
(below) were married. 
    
    
    
   

President Nixon announced he was releasing edited transcripts of secretly made White House tape recordings related to the Watergate scandal.

Jerome Allen "Jerry" Seinfeld is 64 years old today. He was born in
Brooklyn, New York.

Stand-up comedian, producer, actor, and writer Jerry Seinfeld co-created
and starred in the NBC sitcom Seinfeld, which became one of the most
popular television comedies of all time, winning ten Emmy Awards during
its run which began in 1989 and aired for nine seasons. In 2012, he began
the internet comedy series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, where he
chats with other comedians. 

Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974)

One of the jazz worlds most influential figures. He led his famed orchestra
from 1923 until his death. He called his music American Music, not jazz. He
helped compose more than 1,000 original pieces, many of which became
standards. Ellington was called Duke by his friends growing up because
his suave sophistication reminded them of a nobleman.

ROSS SIMPSON

President George W. Bush announced that U.S. forces had launched
a strike against "targets of military opportunity" in Iraq. The attack,
using cruise missiles and precision-guided bombs, were aimed at
Iraqi leaders thought to be near Baghdad.

On this day in 1987, Televangelist Jim Bakker, shown with wife
Tammy Faye, resigned from the PTL due to a scandal involving
model Jessica Hahn (below).

Jim Bakker turned 78 January 2.

Jessica Hahn will be 59 July 7.

The state of Nevada legalized gambling on this day in
1931.

Bob Dylan released his self-titled debut studio album on this day
in 1962. It was produced by Columbia’s legendary talent scout
John H. Hammond, who signed Dylan to the label, the album
features folk standards, plus two original compositions,
"Talkin’ New York" and "Song to Woody".

Bob Dylan (Robert Allen Zimmerman) will be 77 on May 24.

DAVID MELENDY

On this day in 1933, U.S. President Franklin D, Roosevelt gave
his inauguration speech in which he said "We have nothing to
fear, but fear itself."

The American Automobile Association ( the “AAA” or “Triple-A”) 
was founded on this day in 1902, in Chicago, Illinois, when in
response to a lack of roads and highways suitable for vehicles,
nine motor clubs with a total of 1,500 members banded together
to form the organization.

TIM MAGUIRE

On this day in 1965, Malcolm X was assassinated in New York City at
the age of 39 by assassins identified as Black Muslims.

It was on this day in 1972.

President and Mrs. Nixon visit the Great Wall of China.

In Baton Rouge, LA, on this day in 1988, TV evangelist Jimmy
Swaggart confessed to his congregation that he was guilty
of unspecified sin. He announced that he was leaving the
pulpit temporarily. Swaggart had been linked to an admitted
prostitute.        

Jimmy Lee Swaggart will be 82 years old on March 15.

Chicago stockbroker Steve Fossett became the first person to fly
solo across the Pacific Ocean in a balloon on this day in 1995. He
landed in Leader, Saskatchewan, Canada.

James Stephen "Steve" Fossett
(April 22, 1944 – c. September 3, 2007)

Fossett disappeared on September 3, 2007, while flying a light aircraft
(below) over the Great Basin Desert, between Nevada and California.

1980 Bellanca 8KCAB-180 SUPER DECATHLON.

MIKE GRACIA

President Clinton with Monica Lewinsky in the Oval Office.

The first European settlers in Australia, led by Captain Arthur Phillip,
landed in what became known as Sydney on this day in 1788. The
group had first settled at Botany Bay eight days before. This day is
celebrated as Australia Day.

Douglas MacArthur (January 26, 1880 – April 5, 1964) 

Douglas MacArthur was an Army five-star general and Field
Marshal of the Philippine Army. He was Chief of Staff of the
United States Army during the 1930s and played a prominent
role in the Pacific theater during World War II.

Wayne Douglas Gretzky is 57 years old today.

Wayne Gretzky is a Canadian born former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. He played twenty seasons in the National Hockey League
(NHL) for four teams from 1979 to 1999. Nicknamed "The Great One", he has
been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters, players,
and the league itself.

The Andrew Lloyd Webber musical "Phantom of the Opera" opened
at Broadway’s Majestic Theater on this day in 1988.