CAMILLE BOHANNON

The Soviet Union launched Sputnik I into orbit around the Earth on
this day in 1957. Sputnik was the first manmade satellite to enter
space. It fell out of orbit on January 4, 1958.

The rocket that carried Sputnik 1, is shown on the launch pad.

The ‘Great Stone Face’ in 1925.

Joseph Frank "Buster" Keaton (October 4, 1895 – February 1, 1966)

Buster Keaton was best known for his silent films, in which his trademark
was physical comedy with a consistent deadpan expression, earning him
the nickname "The Great Stone Face".  Critic Roger Ebert wrote of Keaton’s "extraordinary period from 1920 to 1929, [when] he worked on a series of
films that make him, arguably, the greatest actor–director in the history of
the movies". His career declined with a loss of his artistic independence
when hired by MGM studios, a divorce and alcoholism. He recovered in 
the 1940s, remarried, and revived his career to a degree as an honored
comic performer for the rest of his life, earning an Academy Honorary 
Award.

1924

1926

1928

SANDY KOZEL

Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union signed a non-aggression treaty
on this day in 1939.

It was on this day in 1927, despite worldwide demonstrations in
support of their innocence, Italian-born anarchists Nicola Sacco
and Bartolomeo Vanzetti are executed for murder.

On April 15, 1920, a paymaster for a shoe company in South
Braintree, Massachusetts, was shot and killed along with his
guard.

Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti.

Former priest John Geoghan, a notorious pedophile
whose case sparked the clergy molestation scandal 
for 18 months, died on this day in 2003 after being
attacked at the state prison in Shirley.

It was on this day in 1926.

1921

Rudolph Valentino
(Rodolfo Alfonso Raffaello Pierre Filibert Guglielmi)
(May 6, 1895 – August 23, 1926)

TIM MAGUIRE

The funeral of Jordan’s King Hussein was on this day in 1999.

President Clinton (center) among those attending the funeral of
King Hussein.

The Birth of a Nation (originally called The Clansman) is a 1915
American silent epic drama film directed and co-produced by D.
W. Griffith and starring Lillian Gish. The screenplay is adapted
from the novel and play The Clansman, both by Thomas Dixon
Jr. Griffith co-wrote the screenplay (with Frank E. Woods), and
co-produced the film (with Harry Aitken). The film premiered on
this day in 1915.

Lillian Diana Gish
(October 14, 1893 – February 27, 1993)

A civil rights protest in Orangeburg, South Carolina turned deadly
on this day in 1968. The incident became know as the Orangeburg
Massacre.

William D. Boyce incorporated the Boy Scouts of America on this
day in 1910.

William Dickson "W. D." Boyce
(June 16, 1858 – June 11, 1929)

James Byron Dean  (February 8, 1931 – September 30, 1955)

Actor James Dean starred in “Rebel Without a Cause” and “East of
Eden” (both 1955). He became a cultural icon well before he died in
a car crash at age 24. He became the first actor to have received
multiple posthumous acting nominations.  

SANDY KOZEL

On this day in 1776, Gen. George Washington and his troops crossed
the Delaware River for a surprise attack against Hessian forces at Trenton, NJ.

Map of Delaware River area depicting route George Washington
and his Army made during the crossing. (click to enlarge)

On this day in 1991, Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev went on television to announce his resignation as leader of a Communist superpower that had already gone out of existence.

On this day in 1989, ousted Romanian President Nicolae Ceausescu
and his wife, Elena, were executed following a popular uprising.

"Silent Night" was performed for the first time, at the Church of
St. Nikolaus in Oberndorff, Austria (above) on this day in 1818.

Josephus Franciscus Mohr (December 11, 1792 – December 4, 1848)

CAMILLE BOHANNON

The Soviet Union launched Sputnik I into orbit around the Earth on
this day in 1957. Sputnik was the first manmade satellite to enter
space. Sputnik I fell out of orbit on January 4, 1958.

On this day in 1993, dozens of Somalis dragged an American soldier through
the streets of Mogadishu. A videotape showed Michael Durant being taken
prisoner by Somali militants.

Joseph Frank "Buster" Keaton (October 4, 1895 – February 1, 1966)

Buster Keaton was an American actor, comedian, film director, producer, screenwriter, and stunt performer who  was best known for his silent films,
in which his trademark was physical comedy with a consistently stoic,
deadpan expression, earning him the nickname "The Great Stone Face."

On this day in 1970.

Janis Lyn Joplin  (January 19, 1943 – October 4, 1970)