On October 6, 1981, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat was assassinated during a military parade by members of the Egyptian Islamic Jihad. Sadat, who played a pivotal role in the historic Camp David Accords, was targeted for making peace with Israel. His death marked a turning point in Egypt’s political landscape, leaving a lasting impact on the region’s stability and its relationship with the West.
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In 1927, the film industry experienced a revolution with the release of *The Jazz Singer*, starring Al Jolson. It was the first feature-length motion picture to include synchronized dialogue, heralding the end of the silent film era and changing the face of cinema forever. This breakthrough paved the way for the golden age of Hollywood, where sound became an essential part of storytelling.
In 1973, Egypt and Syria launched a coordinated attack on Israel during the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, beginning what is now known as the Yom Kippur War. This conflict, which lasted nearly three weeks, drew global attention, leading to a reshaping of Middle Eastern geopolitics and influencing U.S. foreign policy for decades. The war also spurred subsequent peace negotiations, including the eventual Egypt-Israel peace treaty.
In 1976, during the second presidential debate, President Gerald Ford made the controversial statement that there was “no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe,” a remark that sparked public criticism and is believed to have hurt his re-election chances. At the time, countries like Poland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia were under heavy Soviet influence as part of the Eastern Bloc, a reality that defined the Cold War tensions.
In 1979, Pope John Paul II made history by becoming the first pope to visit the White House. During his week-long tour of the United States, he met with President Jimmy Carter, marking a significant moment in U.S.-Vatican relations. His visit underscored the growing influence of the Catholic Church in global political and social matters during the late 20th century.
In 2007, British adventurer Jason Lewis achieved the first human-powered circumnavigation of the globe. His 13-year journey, covering 46,000 miles, was completed by walking, cycling, and kayaking. This monumental achievement demonstrated not only physical endurance but also highlighted the importance of environmental sustainability and the possibilities of human-powered travel.
In 2010, Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay etched his name in Major League Baseball history by pitching only the second no-hitter in postseason history, blanking the Cincinnati Reds 4-0. Halladay’s feat joined Don Larsen’s perfect game in 1956 as one of the rarest accomplishments in baseball’s rich postseason history, adding to his legacy as one of the greatest pitchers of his era.
In 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear appeals from five states seeking to uphold bans on same-sex marriage. This decision allowed lower court rulings to stand, effectively legalizing same-sex marriage in 30 states. This marked a major step toward nationwide legalization, which would come the following year with the landmark *Obergefell v. Hodges* ruling.
In 2018, Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court by a narrow Senate vote of 50-48, one of the closest confirmations in over 140 years. His confirmation followed a highly contentious nomination process, marked by allegations of sexual misconduct and intense partisan debate, reflecting deep divisions in the political and judicial landscape of the United States.
Today in History: November 14
Today in History: November 14. On November 14, 1889, journalist Nellie Bly began an attempt to travel around the world in 80 days; she would successfully complete the journey in just over 72 days. In 1851, Herman Melville’s novel ‘Moby-Dick; Or, The Whale’ was published in the United States, almost a month after being released in Britain. In 1960, six-year-old Ruby Bridges became the first Black child to desegregate William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans. In 1965, the U.S. Army’s first major military operation of the Vietnam War began with the start of the five-day Battle of Ia Drang.In 1993, Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula became the NFL’s all-time winningest coach with a victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Today in History: November 13
Today in History: November 13:On Nov. 13, 2015, Islamic State militants carried out a set of coordinated attacks in Paris at the national stadium, in a crowded concert hall, in restaurants and on streets, killing 130 people in the worst attack on French soil since World War II. In 1956, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed a lower court ruling which found Alabama bus segregation laws were illegal. In 1971, the U.S. space probe Mariner 9 went into orbit around Mars, becoming the first spacecraft to orbit another planet. In 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated on the National Mall in Washington, DC. In 1985, some 23,000 residents of Armero, Colombia, died when a volcanic mudslide buried the city. In 2001, U.S.-backed Northern Alliance fighters in Afghanistan entered Kabul as Taliban forces retreated from the capital city.
Today in History: November 12
Today in History: On November 12: 1954, Ellis Island officially closed as an immigration station and detention center. More than 12 million immigrants arrived in the United States via Ellis Island between 1892 and 1954. In 1927, Josef Stalin became the undisputed ruler of the Soviet Union as Leon Trotsky was expelled from the Communist Party. In 1936, the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge opened as President Franklin D. Roosevelt pressed a telegraph key in Washington, D.C., and gave the green light to traffic. In 1948, former Japanese premier Hideki Tojo and several other World War II Japanese leaders were sentenced to death by a war crimes tribunal. In 1970, the Bhola cyclone struck East Pakistan, now Bangladesh. The deadliest tropical cyclone on record claimed the lives of an estimated 300,000-500,000 people.
Today in History: November 11
Today in History: November 11: On Nov. 11, 1918, fighting in World War I ended as the Allies and Germany signed an armistice aboard a railroad car in the Forest of Compiègne in northern France. In 1620, 41 Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower, anchored off Massachusetts, signed the Mayflower Compact, calling for a “civil body politick, for our better ordering and preservation.” In 1921, the remains of an unidentified American service member were interred in a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in a ceremony presided over by President Warren G. Harding. In 1966, Gemini 12 blasted off on a four-day mission with astronauts James A. Lovell and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin Jr. aboard; it was the tenth and final crewed flight of NASA’s Gemini program.
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