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Today in history: November 4

Celebrity birthdays, highlights in history, plus more facts about this day
/ Source: The Associated Press

Today is Saturday, Nov. 4, the 308th day of 2006. There are 57 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History:
On Nov. 4, 1979, the Iranian hostage crisis began as militants stormed the United States Embassy in Tehran, seizing its occupants. For some of the hostages, it was the start of 444 days of captivity.

On this date:
In 1879, humorist Will Rogers was born in Oologah, Okla.

In 1884, Democrat Grover Cleveland was elected to his first term as president, defeating Republican James G. Blaine.

In 1922, the entrance to King Tutankhamen’s tomb was discovered in Egypt.

In 1924, Nellie T. Ross of Wyoming was elected the nation’s first female governor to serve out the remaining term of her late husband, William B. Ross.

In 1942, during World War II, Axis forces retreated from El Alamein in North Africa in a major victory for British forces commanded by Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery.

In 1952, Dwight D. Eisenhower was elected president, defeating Democrat Adlai Stevenson.

In 1956, Soviet troops moved in to crush the Hungarian Revolution.

In 1980, Ronald Reagan won the White House as he defeated President Carter by a strong margin.

In 1991, Ronald Reagan opened his presidential library in Simi Valley, Calif., with a dedication attended by President Bush and former Presidents Carter, Ford and Nixon — the first gathering of five U.S. chief executives.

In 1995, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated by a right-wing Israeli minutes after attending a festive peace rally.

Ten years ago: On the last day of campaigning before Election Day, President Clinton appealed for a second term by taking credit for a revived economy, while Republican Bob Dole warned of mounting Clinton ethical questions.

Five years ago: Hurricane Michelle roared across Cuba, forcing the government to shut down power for much of the communist island and evacuate 750,000 people. The Arizona Diamondbacks won their first World Series by beating the New York Yankees 3-2 in Game 7. Tesfaye Jifar of Ethiopia and Margaret Okayo of Kenya won the New York Marathon. NBC’s “The West Wing” took eight honors at the twice-delayed Emmy Awards, including best dramatic series; HBO’s “Sex and the City” won best comedy series.

One year ago: Violent anti-U.S. protests broke out in Mar Del Plata, Argentina, where President Bush was promoting free trade at the Summit of the Americas. Jewish Defense League activist Earl Krugel, imprisoned for his role in a bomb plot, died after being assaulted in a federal prison in Phoenix; he was 62.

Today’s Birthdays: Former CBS news anchorman Walter Cronkite is 90. Actress Doris Roberts is 76. Actress Loretta Swit is 69. Rhythm-and-blues singer Harry Elston (Friends of Distinction) is 68. Blues singer Delbert McClinton is 66. First Lady Laura Bush is 60. Actress Markie Post is 56. Rock singer-musician Chris Difford (Squeeze) is 52. Country singer Kim Forester (The Forester Sisters) is 46. Actor Ralph Macchio is 45. “Survivor” host Jeff Probst is 45. Actor Matthew McConaughey is 37. Rapper-producer Sean “Diddy” Combs is 37. Rhythm-and-blues singer Shawn Rivera (Az Yet) is 35. Actress Heather Tom is 31. Rhythm-and-blues/gospel singer George Huff is 26.

Thought for Today: “The line of least resistance was always the most difficult line in the long run.” — Peter Cheyney, English author (1896-1951).