CAMILLE BOHANNON

During the U.S. Civil War, the first day’s fighting at Gettysburg
began on this day in 1863.

The first peacetime detonation of a nuclear bomb happened on
Bikini Atoll in the Pacific Ocean on this day in 1946.

During the Spanish-American War, Theodore Roosevelt and his
"Rough Riders" waged a victorious assault on San Juan Hill in
Cuba on this day in 1898.

Theodore Roosevelt Jr. (October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919)

Diana, Princess of Wales (Diana Frances Spencer) 
(July 1, 1961 – August 31, 1997)

The sovereignty over Hong Kong was transferred from Great Britain
to China on this day in 1997. Britain had controlled Hong Kong as a colony for 156 years.

It was on this day in 2004.

CAMILLE BOHANNON

On this day in 1972, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the death penalty
could constitute "cruel and unusual punishment." The ruling prompted
states to revise their capital punishment laws.

Israel removed barricades, re-unifying Jerusalem on this day in
1967.

The shuttle Atlantis (bottom) and the Russian space station Mir docked,
forming the largest man-made satellite ever to orbit the Earth on this
day in 1995.

Rosemary Clooney (May 23, 1928 – June 29, 2002)

Singer Rosemary Clooney came to prominence in the
early 1950s with the song "Come On-a My House". She
received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in
2002.

Katharine Houghton Hepburn (May 12, 1907 – June 29, 2003)

Actress Katharine Hepburn was a leading lady in Hollywood for
more than 60 years. She received four Academy Awards for Best
Actress—a record for any performer. In 1999, Hepburn was named
by the American Film Institute as the greatest female star of Classic
Hollywood Cinema.

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)

ROSS SIMPSON

It was on this day in 1940.

During World War II, the battle for Okinawa officially ended on this
day in 1945.   

On this day in 1938.

Fred Astaire (Frederick Austerlitz) (May 10, 1899 – June 22, 1987)

CAMILLE BOHANNON

The War of 1812 began as the U.S. declared war against Great
Britain. The conflict began over trade restrictions.

Depiction of the Tennessee Militia in the War of 1812.

Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic
Ocean as she completed a flight from Newfoundland to Wales on
this day in 1928. She received the U.S. distinguished flying cross
for the record.

Dr. Sally Ride became the first American woman in space aboard
the space shuttle Challenger on this day in 1983.

Sir James Paul McCartney is 75 years old today.

After his time with The Beatles Paul McCartney formed the band Wings and
embarked upon a solo career. He has earned 21 Grammy Awards across his
career.

He met George Harrison on his school bus as a child and he joined John
Lennon‘s skiffle group The Quarrymen when he was fifteen. After Harrison
joined the band as well, they changed their name to The Beatles.