- 1620: An agreement was signed by 41 Pilgrims on the Mayflower to
pass "just and equal" laws.
- 1647: Massachusetts passed the first compulsory school attendance
law.
- 1831: Nat Turner, a former slave who led a violent rebellion, was
put to death in Jerusalem, Va.
- 1851: Alvan Clark patented the telescope.
- 1889: Washington became the 42nd state.
- 1909: Construction of the navy base at Pearl Harbor began.
- 1918: In World War I, fighting ended when an armistice was signed by
the Allies and Germany. The date is now celebrated as Veterans Day,
in remembrance of all who served in the military.
- 1921: The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was dedicated.
- 1939: Kate Smith sang "God Bless America" for the first time.
- 1940: Willys unveiled its General Purpose vehicle ("Jeep").
- 1966: The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren
Church united as the United Methodist Church.
- 1972: The U.S. Army relinquished control of its base at Long Bihn
to the South Vietnamese army, ending the American military presence
in Vietnam.
- 1975: Angola became independent from Portugal after 500 years of
colonial rule.
- 1987: Van Gogh's "Irises" was sold for a then record 53.9 million
dollars in New York.
- 1992: Overturning centuries of tradition, the Church of England
voted to allow women to become priests.
- 1995: The European Union's 15 member states decided to pull their
envoys out of Lagos to show their anger at Nigeria's execution of
human rights leaders.
*Happy Birthday*
----------------
- Otis Armstrong, 48, NFL runningback, AFC's leading rusher in 1974
with the Denver Broncos
- Leonardo DiCaprio, 24, actor, "Titanic"
- Calista Flockhart, 34, actress, "Ally McBeal"
- Demi Moore, 36, actress, "G.I. Jane"
- Kurt Vonnegut Jr., 76, writer, "Breakfast of Champions"
- Jonathan Winters, 73, actor/comedian
- Steve Young, 37, NFL quarterback, NFL Player of Year '92