One year ago, on Nov. 4, 2008, Democrat Barack Obama was elected the first black president of the United States, defeating Republican John McCain; Democrats gained seats in the Senate and House.
In 1842, Abraham Lincoln married Mary Todd in Springfield, Ill.
In 1879, humorist Will Rogers was born in Oologah, Okla.
In 1880, the first cash register was patented by James and John Ritty of Dayton, Ohio.
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 1939, the United States modified its neutrality stance, allowing "cash and carry" purchases of arms by belligerents, a policy favoring Britain and France.
In 1942, Axis forces retreated from El Alamein in North Africa in a major victory for British forces commanded by Lt. Gen. Bernard Montgomery.
In 1952, Dwight D. Eisenhower was elected president, defeating Democrat Adlai Stevenson.
In 1955, Baseball Hall of Famer Cy Young died at age 88.
In 1956, Soviet troops moved in to crush a revolt in Hungary.
In 1980, Ronald Reagan won the White House as he defeated President Jimmy Carter by a strong margin.
In 1991, Ronald Reagan opened his presidential library in Simi Valley, Calif., with a dedication attended by President George H.W. Bush and former Presidents Jimmy Carter, Gerald R. Ford and Richard Nixon — the first-ever gathering of five past and present U.S. chief executives. Every one of whom deserved to be killed dead on the spot. Just sayin'. — Ed.] Imelda Marcos, former first lady of the Philippines, returned home, ending more than five years of exile in the United States.
In 1993, Canadian Liberal Party leader Jean Chretien was sworn in as prime minister.
In 1995, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated by a right-wing Israeli minutes after attending a festive peace rally.
In 2002, Roman Catholic Cardinal Bernard Law of Boston apologized for assigning priests who may have been sexually abusive to parishes where they continued to have access to children.
In 2003, the elevation of a gay Episcopal priest to bishop prompted worldwide opposition, including a remark from a Kenya cleric, "The devil has clearly entered our church."
In 2004, following his re-election victory, President George W. Bush pledged to aggressively pursue major changes in Social Security, the tax code and medical malpractice awards. It was announced that Elizabeth Edwards, wife of former Democratic vice-presidential candidate John Edwards, had been diagnosed with breast cancer the same day her husband and Sen. John Kerry conceded the presidential race. Medical sources in Paris confirmed that Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat was brain dead. However, doctors denied they had removed Arafat from life support. U. S. Army reservists and guardsmen in Iraq said they saw looters make off with truckload of explosives from al-Qaqaa after the fall of Baghdad.
In 2005, protests turned violent at the Summit of the Americas in Argentina where demonstrators hurled rocks and Molotov cocktails at security. However, thousands of protesters were peaceful during a meeting of 34 world leaders, including U.S. President George Bush.
In 2006, six Arab nations -- Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates -- announced plans to pursue nuclear energy.
In 2008, California voters approved Proposition 8, a constitutional amendment outlawing same-sex marriage, overturning a state Supreme Court decision that gave gay couples the right to wed just months earlier. Author Michael Crichton died in Los Angeles at age 66.
Today's Birthdays: Actress Doris Roberts is 79. Actress Loretta Swit is 72. R&B singer Harry Elston (Friends of Distinction) is 71. Blues singer Delbert McClinton is 69. Former First Lady Laura Bush is 63. Actress Markie Post is 59. Rock singer-musician Chris Difford (Squeeze) is 55. Country singer Kim Forester (The Forester Sisters) is 49. Actress-comedian Kathy Griffin is 49. Actor Ralph Macchio is 48. "Survivor" host Jeff Probst is 48. Rock singer-musician Wayne Static (Static-X) is 44. Actor Matthew McConaughey is 40. Rapper-producer Sean "Diddy" Combs is 40. R&B singer Shawn Rivera (Az Yet) is 38. Actress Heather Tom is 34.
Today In Entertainment History November 4
In 1963, The Beatles performed for the Queen Mother in London. This is when John Lennon commented that people in the cheap seats could clap and the rest could rattle their jewelry.
In 1974, Elton John released his "Greatest Hits" album.
In 1976, a Bruce Springsteen concert in New York was interrupted by a bomb threat. Springsteen joked that the threat could have come from his former manager, with whom he was involved in a legal battle.
In 1978, the band Boston played the city of Boston for the first time, in a sold-out show.
In 1977, "The Last Waltz," the film of The Band's final concert, premiered in New York.
In 1978, Greg Reeves, a former bassist for Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, sued his former bandmates for one million dollars in unpaid royalties.
In 1984, Prince launched his Purple Rain tour in Detroit.
In 1986, country singer Tammy Wynette checked in to the Betty Ford Clinic for addiction to painkillers.
Twenty years ago, in 1989, Roxette hit number one with "Listen To Your Heart." It was the first number-one song to be available only on cassette.
In 1992, songwriters Elton John and Bernie Taupin signed a publishing contract worth about 39 million dollars with Warner-Chappell Music.
In 2001, the Emmys were finally given out after being canceled twice due to concerns following September eleventh. "The West Wing" was the big winner, with eight Emmys. [At last, a non-musical item! — Ed.]
In 2008, Deftones bassist Chino Moreno was involved in a car accident in Santa Clara, California. He has been in a coma ever since.
Thought for Today: "There is no such thing as a little freedom. Either you are all free, or you are not free." — Walter Cronkite, American news anchorman (born this date in 1916, died 2009).
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