Neil Diamond is the Brooklyn-born singer-songwriter of "Sweet Caroline," "Coming to America" and "Cracklin’ Rosie.” He has
sold over 100 million records.

On January 7, 1927, the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team
traveled 48 miles west from Chicago to play their first game
in Hinckley, Illinois.

The Globetrotters were the creation of Abe Saperstein of
Chicago, who took over coaching duties for a team of
African American players originally known as the Savoy
Big Five (after the famous Chicago ballroom where they
played their early games).

At a time when only whites were allowed to play on
professional basketball teams, Saperstein decided to
promote his new team’s racial makeup by naming them
after Harlem, the famous African American neighborhood
of New York City.

The earliest known team photo of the Globetrotters,
from the 1930–1931 season. Standing from left: Abe        
Saperstein, Walter “Toots” Wright, Byron “Fat” Long,
Inman  Jackson, and William “Kid” Oliver. Seated: Al
“Runt” Pullins.

Nicolas Cage (Coppola) is a actor, film producer and nephew
of filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola. He has received many          
accolades, including an Academy Award, a Screen Actors
Guild Award, and a Golden Globe Award as well as two
nominations for BAFTA Awards.       


       
Known for his versatility as an actor, Cage’s work across
diverse film genres has gained him a significant cult
following. Films in which he has appeared have grossed
over $6.4 billion worldwide. Cage is 62 years old today.

Olympic hopeful Nancy Kerrigan was attacked at a Detroit ice
rink following a practice session two days before the Olympic
trials. A man hit Kerrigan with a club on the back of her knee,
causing the figure skater to cry out in pain and bewilderment.

When the full story emerged a week later, the nation became
caught up in a real-life soap opera.

One of Kerrigan’s chief rivals for a place on the U.S. Figure
Skating Team was Tonya Harding. In mid-December 1993,
Harding’s ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, approached Shawn
Eckardt about somehow eliminating Kerrigan from the
competition.

From left: Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan.

January 14, 1994.

Tanya Harding turned 55 on November 12th. She
was born in Portland, Oregon.

Nancy Kerrigan became 56 October 13th.

Denzel Hayes Washington Jr. is an actor, producer, director,
and Pentecostal minister. Known for his dramatic roles on
stage and screen, he has received numerous accolades
including two Academy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards,
two Silver Bears and one Tony Award as well as nominations
for a Grammy Award and two Emmy Awards.

In 2020, The New York Times named Washington the greatest
actor of the 21st century. He has also been honored with the
Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2016, AFI Life Achievement Award
in 2019, the Honorary Palme d’Or in 2025, and the Presidential
Medal of Freedom in 2025.

Films in which he has appeared have grossed over $5.1 billion worldwide.

      
2007                                                2004

      
2024                                     2010

Denzel Washington is 71 today.