Joseph Stalin became the undisputed ruler of the Soviet Union on this day in 1927. Leon Trotsky (below) was expelled from the Communist Party leading to Stalin coming to power.
Leon Davidovich Trotsky
During World War II, the naval battle of Guadalcanal began between Japanese and American forces on this day in 1942. The Americans won a major victory.
Canadian singer-songwriter, and musician Neil Percival Young is 72 years old today.
World War I came to an end when the Allies and Germany signed an armistice on this day in 1918. This day became recognized as Veteran’s Day in the United States.
On this day in 1620, the Mayflower Compact was signed by the 41 men on the Mayflower when they landed in what is now known as Provincetown Harbor near Cape Cod. The compact called for "just and equal laws."
It was on this day in 2004.
Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio is 43 years old today.
Actor Leonardo DiCaprio rose to prominence for his roles in the 1990’s films What’s Eating Gilbert Grape,Romeo + Juliet and Titanic. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Hugh Glass in the 2015 film The Revenant.
He began his career by acting in commercials and educational films under the name Lenny Williams.
On this day in 1923, Adolf Hitler (center) made his first attempt at seizing power in Germany with a failed coup in Munich that came to be known as the "Beer-Hall Putsch."
On this day in 1960, Senator John Fitzgerald Kennedy was declared the winner of the Presidential Election over Vice-President Richard M. Nixon.
Ronald Reagan was elected governor of California on this day in 1966.
The newly elected Governor of California, Ronald Reagan talks to the press with wife Nancy by his side.
Blues singer-songwriter, musician, and activist Bonnie Lynn Raitt is 68 today.
Raitt has received 10 Grammy Awards. She is listed as number 50 in Rolling Stone‘s list of the "100 Greatest Singers of All Time” and number 89 on their list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time".
Led Zeppelin’s album "Led Zeppelin IV" was released on this day in 1971. The album included the song "Stairway to Heaven."
Johnny Rivers (John Henry Ramistella) was born in New York City
Rock ‘n’ roll singer, songwriter, guitarist, and record producer Johnny Rivers charted hits during the 1960s and 1970s and remains best known for a string of hit singles between 1964 and 1968, among them a Chuck Berry "Memphis" , "Mountain of Love", "Secret Agent Man", "Poor Side of Town", which went to #1 and a Motown cover, “Baby I Need Your Lovin”.
Although his recording career is slowing down, Johnny Rivers is still touring, however, performing 50 to 60 shows a year. Increasingly he has returned to the blues that inspired him initially.
Russia’s Bolshevik Revolution took place on this day in 1917. The provisional government of Alexander Kerensky was overthrown by forces led by Vladimir Ilyich Lenin.
Hillary Rodham Clinton made history as the first president’s wife to win public office on this day in 2000. The state of New York elected her to the U.S. Senate (New York).
A Florida election official tries to discern a voter’s intentions.
Hanging Chads: As the Florida Recount Implodes, the Supreme Court Decides Bush v. Gore on this day in the 2000 Presidential election. election. Bush narrowly won the election having 271 electoral votes compared to Al Gores’s 266 electoral votes.
This election was between the republican George W. Bush (left) and the democratic-incumbent vice president Albert Arnold Gore.
The middle section of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in Washington state collapsed during a windstorm on this day in 1940.
The Tacoma Narrows Bridge as it looks today.
On this day in 1991, Magic Johnson (standing) announced that he had tested positive for the virus that causes AIDS, and that he was retiring from playing basketball. He had been with the Los Angeles Lakers since 1979.
Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. turned 58 in August.
Roberta Joan "Joni" Mitchell is 74 today.
The Canadian singer-songwriter and painter Joni Mitchell is called by Rolling Stone, "one of the greatest songwriters ever".
Since 2015, there have been conflicting reports about her current health after she had suffered a brain aneurysm.
Mitchell made her first public appearance following the aneurysm when she attended a Chick Corea concert in Los Angeles in August 2016.
