1925: The Grand Ole Opry Debuts on Radio
On November 28, 1925, the Grand Ole Opry, initially called the “WSM Barn Dance,” aired its first broadcast on WSM radio in Nashville, Tennessee. This iconic show remains a cornerstone of American country music and holds the record as the longest-running radio broadcast in U.S. history. The Opry played a pivotal role in elevating country music to mainstream audiences and solidifying Nashville as the genre’s global hub.
1520: Magellan Reaches the Pacific Ocean
Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan became the first European to reach the Pacific Ocean on this day in 1520 after navigating the treacherous strait at the southern tip of South America, which now bears his name. His expedition proved the vastness of the Earth and set the stage for the first successful circumnavigation of the globe, a milestone in exploration that reshaped global trade and cultural exchanges.
1943: The Tehran Conference
In a critical moment during World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Soviet leader Josef Stalin convened in Tehran on November 28, 1943. This was their first meeting as the “Big Three,” where they laid the groundwork for the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied France and discussed the post-war order. The conference marked a turning point in forging unity among Allied powers, despite their ideological differences.
1964: Mariner 4 Heads to Mars
On this day in 1964, the United States launched Mariner 4, the first successful space probe to fly past Mars. The mission revolutionized our understanding of the red planet, sending back the first close-up images of its surface in July 1965. These historic photographs dispelled long-held theories of Martian canals and paved the way for future exploration of the solar system.
2001: Enron’s Collapse Signals Corporate Reckoning
Enron Corp., once a titan in the energy trading world, suffered a catastrophic collapse on November 28, 2001, when Dynegy Inc. withdrew from an $8.4 billion rescue deal. Enron filed for bankruptcy protection four days later, marking the largest corporate bankruptcy in U.S. history at the time. The scandal exposed widespread accounting fraud and led to sweeping reforms in corporate governance, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, aimed at preventing future financial misdeeds.
Today in History: December 5
Today in History: December 5:
On December 5, 1848, President James K. Polk sparked the Gold Rush of ’49 by confirming that gold had been discovered in California.
In 1933, national Prohibition came to an end as the 21st Amendment to the Constitution was ratified, thus repealing the 18th Amendment.
In 1952, the Great Smog of London descended on the British capital; the unusually thick fog, which contained toxic pollutants
Today in History: December 4
Today in History: December 4:
On Dec. 4, 1991, after being abducted and held for nearly seven years as a hostage by Hezbollah militants in Lebanon,Terry Anderson was released from captivity.
In 1783, Gen. George Washington bade farewell to his Continental Army officers at Fraunces Tavern in New York.
In 1969, Fred Hampton and Mark Clark of the Black Panther Party were shot and killed during a raid by Chicago police.
Today in History: December 3
Excerpts:Today in History: December 3:
In 1947, the Tennessee Williams play “A Streetcar Named Desire” opened on Broadway.
In 2015, Defense Secretary Ash Carter ordered the armed services to open all military jobs to women.
Today in History: December 2
Today in History: December 2:
In 1804, Napoleon crowned himself emperor of France in a coronation ceremony at Notre Dame de Paris cathedral.
In 2018, Israeli police recommended indicting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on bribery charges, adding to a growing collection of legal troubles for the longtime leader.