Today’s Highlight in History:
On Nov. 14, 1889, inspired by Jules Verne, New York World reporter Nellie Bly (Elizabeth Cochrane) set out to travel around the world in less than 80 days. (She made the trip in 72 days.)
On this date:
In 1851, Herman Melville’s novel “Moby-Dick” was first published.
In 1881, Charles J. Guiteau went on trial for assassinating President Garfield. (Guiteau was convicted and hanged the following year.)
In 1906, 100 years ago, actress and dancer Louise Brooks was born in Cherryvale, Kan.
In 1922, the British Broadcasting Corporation began its domestic radio service.
In 1935, President Roosevelt proclaimed the Philippine Islands a free commonwealth.
In 1940, during World War II, German planes destroyed most of the English town of Coventry.
In 1943, Leonard Bernstein, the 25-year-old assistant conductor of the New York Philharmonic, made his debut with the orchestra as he filled in for the ailing Bruno Walter during a nationally broadcast concert.
In 1969, Apollo 12 blasted off for the moon.
In 1972, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above 1,000 for the first time, ending the day at 1,003.16.
In 1986, the Securities and Exchange Commission imposed a record $100 million penalty against inside-trader Ivan F. Boesky and barred him from working again in the securities industry.
Ten years ago: Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, the senior Roman Catholic prelate in the United States and leader of Chicago’s 2.3 million Catholics, died at his home at age 68.
Five years ago: The rout of the Taliban in Afghanistan accelerated with the Islamic militia losing control of Jalalabad in the east, once-loyal Pashtun tribesmen joining in the revolt in the south and many of their fighters fleeing into the mountains to evade U.S. airstrikes. President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin continued their talks at Bush’s Texas ranch, a day after the two leaders agreed at the White House to reduce their countries’ nuclear stockpiles.
One year ago: Two separate suicide attackers rammed car bombs into vehicles belonging to NATO-led peacekeepers in Kabul, Afghanistan, killing a German soldier and an Afghan child. President Bush hurled new arguments against Iraq war critics as he headed for Asia, accusing some Democrats of “sending mixed signals to our troops and the enemy.” Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees won his second American League Most Valuable Player award in three seasons.
Today’s Birthdays: Former U.N. Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali is 84. Actress Kathleen Hughes is 78. Jazz musician Ellis Marsalis is 72. Blues singer Carey Bell is 70. Writer P.J. O’Rourke is 59. Zydeco singer-musician Buckwheat Zydeco is 59. Britain’s Prince Charles is 58. Actor Robert Ginty is 58. Rock singer-musician James Young (Styx) is 57. Singer Stephen Bishop is
55. Pianist Yanni is 52. Actress Laura San Giacomo is 45. Actor D.B. Sweeney is 45. Rapper Reverend Run (Run-DMC) is 42. Actor Patrick Warburton is 42. Rock musician Nic Dalton (The Lemonheads) is 42. Country singer Rockie Lynne is 42. Pop singer Jeanette Jurado (Expose) is 41. Rock singer Butch Walker is 37. Actor Josh Duhamel is 35. Rock musician Travis Barker is 31. Contemporary Christian musician Robby Shaffer is 31. Rapper Shyheim is 29.
Thought for Today: “The happiest women, like the happiest nations, have no history.” — George Eliot, English author (1819-1880).