Slideshow: Today In History, Dec. 5
Today is Friday, Dec. 5.
Today's Highlight in History:
1782: Martin Van Buren
In 1782, the eighth president of the United States, Martin Van Buren, was born in Kinderhook, New York; he was the first chief executive to be born after American independence.
1791: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
In 1791, composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart died in Vienna, Austria, at age 35.
1831: John Quincy Adams
In 1831, former President John Quincy Adams took his seat as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
1932: Albert Einstein
In 1932, German physicist Albert Einstein was granted a visa, making it possible for him to travel to the United States.
1933: Prohibition
In 1933, national Prohibition came to an end as Utah became the 36th state to ratify the 21st Amendment to the Constitution, repealing the 18th Amendment.
1955: George Meany
In 1955, the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations merged to form the AFL-CIO under its first president, George Meany (second from left, seated).
1974: "Monty Python's Flying Circus"
In 1974, the final episode of "Monty Python's Flying Circus" aired on BBC Television.
1994: Newt Gingrich
In 1994, Republicans chose Newt Gingrich to be the first GOP speaker of the House in four decades.
2009: Amanda Knox
Five years ago: A jury in Perugia, Italy convicted American student Amanda Knox and her former Italian boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, of murdering Knox's British roommate, Meredith Kercher, and sentenced them to long prison terms. (Knox has been in the United States since 2011 after an appeals court overturned her conviction, which was later reinstated; Sollecito continues to appeal his conviction; both maintain their innocence.)
2013: Nelson Mandela
On Dec. 5, 2013, Nelson Mandela, the anti-apartheid leader who became South Africa's first black president and was a global symbol of sacrifice and reconciliation, died at age 95.
2013: "Born to Run"
One year ago: A handwritten, working lyric sheet for Bruce Springsteen's 1975 hit "Born to Run" sold at Sotheby's for $197,000, well exceeding pre-sale estimates of between $70,000 and $100,000.
Birthday: Little Richard
Singer Little Richard is 82.
Birthday: Jose Carreras
Opera singer Jose Carreras is 68.
Birthday: Jim Plunkett
College Football Hall of Famer and former NFL quarterback Jim Plunkett is 67.
Birthday: Art Monk
Pro and College Football Hall of Famer Art Monk is 57.
Margaret Cho
Comedian-actress-musician Margaret Cho wants to marry a Tucson gay couple at her Oct. 18 Rialto Show.
Birthday: Amy Acker
Actress Amy Acker is 38.
Birthday: Frankie Muniz
Actor Frankie Muniz is 29.
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