It Just Keeps Rollin'...

Today is Wednesday, November 28th, the 332nd day of 2007. There are 33 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On November 28th, 1942, nearly 500 people died in a fire that destroyed the Cocoanut Grove nightclub in Boston. On this date: In 1520, Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan reached the Pacific Ocean after passing through the South American strait that now bears his name. In 1907, future movie producer Louis B. Mayer opened his first movie theater, in Haverhill, Massachusetts. In 1919, American-born Lady Astor became the first woman to take a seat in the British Parliament. In 1943, President Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet leader Josef Stalin began conferring in Tehran during World War II. In 1958, the African nation of Chad became an autonomous republic within the French community. In 1964, the United States launched the space probe Mariner 4 on a course to Mars. In 1967, actress-model Anna Nicole Smith was born Vickie Lynn Hogan in Houston. In 1979, an Air New Zealand DC-10 en route to the South Pole crashed into a mountain in Antarctica, killing all 257 people aboard. In 1987, a South African Airways Boeing 747 crashed into the Indian Ocean with the loss of all 159 people aboard. In 1990, Margaret Thatcher resigned as British prime minister during an audience with Queen Elizabeth II, who conferred the premiership on John Major. In 2001, Enron Corporation collapsed after would-be rescuer Dynegy Incorporated backed out of an 8.4 billion-dollar deal to take it over. Ten years ago: India's powerful Congress Party withdrew its support from India's ruling coalition, forcing Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral to resign. Five years ago: In twin attacks in Kenya, three suicide bombers killed 14 people at an Israeli-owned hotel, while at least two missiles were fired at, but missed, an Israeli jetliner taking off from Mombasa airport. One year ago: At the opening of a NATO summit in Latvia, President Bush rejected suggestions Iraq had fallen into civil war and vowed not to pull U.S. troops out "until the mission is complete." The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously to extend for a year the mandate of the 160,000-strong multinational force in Iraq. Pope Benedict the 16th, in Turkey on his first visit to a Muslim country, urged all religious leaders to "utterly refuse" to support any violence in the name of faith. Today's Birthdays: Recording executive Berry Gordy Junior is 78. Former Senator Gary Hart (Democrat, Colorado) is 71. Singer-songwriter Bruce Channel is 67. Singer Randy Newman is 64. Movie director Joe Dante is 61. CBS News correspondent Susan Spencer is 61. "Late Show" orchestra leader Paul Shaffer is 58. Actor Ed Harris is 57. Actress S. Epatha Merkerson is 55. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff is 54. Country singer Kristine Arnold (Sweethearts of the Rodeo) is 51. Actor Judd Nelson is 48. Movie director Alfonso Cuaron is 46. Rock musician Matt Cameron is 45. Comedian Jon Stewart is 45. Actress Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon is 41. Rhythm-and-blues singer Dawn Robinson is 39. Hip-hop musician apl.de.ap (Black Eyed Peas) is 33. Those Who Won't Be Celebrating Their Birthdays Today: John Bunyan,author (1628) William Blake, English poet & artist (1757) Friedrich Engels, socialist (1820) Anton Rubinstein, pianist, composer (1829) John Wesley Hyatt, inventor (1837) Henry Bacon, architect (1866) Show Biz Events: On November 28th, 1925, the Grand Ole Opry made its radio debut on station WSM. In 1964, Willie Nelson made his Grand Ole Opry debut. Also in 1964, "Leader of the Pack" by The Shangri-Las hit number one on the Billboard pop chart. In 1974, John Lennon performed in concert for the first time in several years. He sang three songs with Elton John at Madison Square Garden in New York. It was payback for a bet in which John had made Lennon promise they'd perform together if "Whatever Gets You Thru the Night" hit number one. [More Beatle news! — Ed.] In 1976, actress Rosalind Russell died. She was 68. In 1989, IRS agents raided the Las Vegas home of actor Redd Foxx, who owed an estimated $755,000 in taxes. In 1990, officials in Los Angeles decided there wasn't enough evidence to prosecute singer Axl Rose for assault in connection with a dispute with his neighbor. The neighbor claimed Rose hit her over the head with an empty wine bottle. In 1997, Chumbawamba singer Danbert Nobacon was arrested in Florence, Italy, for wearing a skirt. He was released when a police officer recognized the name "Chumbawamba." Also in 1997, the last episode of "Beavis and Butt-head" aired on MTV.