Welcome to Thursday, November 7th, 2024 – the 312th day of the year with only 54 days remaining.
Today in history:
On this day in 1991, basketball legend Magic Johnson shocked the world by announcing his HIV positive status and retirement from the sport.
Other notable events on this date include:
In 1916, Jeannette Rankin made history by becoming the first woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Montana.
In 1917, Russia witnessed the Bolshevik Revolution led by Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, overthrowing the provisional government of Alexander Kerensky.
1940 saw the collapse of Washington state’s Tacoma Narrows Bridge, known as “Galloping Gertie,” just months after opening.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt secured an unprecedented fourth term in office in 1944, defeating Thomas E. Dewey.
In 1972, President Richard Nixon won a landslide reelection victory over George McGovern.
1989 marked historical milestones with L. Douglas Wilder becoming the first elected Black governor in Virginia and David N. Dinkins being elected as New York City’s first Black mayor.
2011 saw the conviction of Michael Jackson’s doctor, Conrad Murray, for involuntary manslaughter related to the entertainer’s death.
Lastly, in 2020, Joe Biden secured victory over President Donald Trump with a win in Pennsylvania, although Trump refused to concede.
Birthdays for today:
- Baseball Hall of Famer Jim Kaat turns 86.
- Former Singer Johnny Rivers celebrates his 82nd birthday.
- Singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell marks 81 years.
- Retired Army general and former CIA Director David Petraeus is 72.
- Actor Christopher Knight, known for “The Brady Bunch,” turns 67.
- DJ-producer David Guetta celebrates 57 years.
- Actor Yunjin Kim is 51.
- Rock singer Lorde turns 28.