this day in history

Here’s a look at some notable birthdays being celebrated today: Queen Latifah Age: 42 Occupation: Singer, Rapper and Actress Known For: Successful 1990s rap singles like ‘Ladies First’ and ‘U.N.I.T.Y.,’ starring on the sitcom ‘Living Single,’ her Oscar-nominated role in ‘Chicago,’ other films including ‘Living Out Loud,’ ‘Beauty Shop’ and ‘Hairspray,’ and her departure into more mainstream mus

Here’s a look at some notable birthdays being celebrated today: Eddie Van Halen Age: 57 Occupation: Guitar God Known For: Being one of the most influential, original, and talented rock guitarists of the 20th century, co-founding the legendary band Van Halen, songs like ‘Runnin’ with the Devil,’ ‘Jump’ and ‘Right Now,’ and a former marriage to lookalike actress Valerie Bertinelli

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1788 – Captain Arthur Phillip guides a fleet of 11 British ships carrying convicts to the colony of New South Wales, effectively founding Australia (More info) 1961 – President John F. Kennedy appoints Janet Travell as his personal physician, making her the first woman in history to hold the post (More info)

Here’s a look at some notable birthdays being celebrated today: Mary Tyler Moore Age: 75 Occupation: Actress Known For: Her iconic sitcom work including playing Laura Petrie on ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show’ and Mary Richards on ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show,’ her Oscar-nominated turn in ‘Ordinary People,’ being an animal-rights activist, and being a longtime sufferer of diabetes

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1170 – Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, is assassinated inside Canterbury Cathedral by knights acting on the orders of King Henry II (More info) 1851 – The first YMCA in the US opens in Boston, Massachusetts (More info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1065 – Westminster Abbey is consecrated (More info) 1832 – John C. Calhoun becomes the first Vice President of the United States to resign (More info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1831 – Charles Darwin embarks on his journey aboard the HMS Beagle, during which he will begin to formulate the theory of evolution (More info) 1900 – Prohibitionist Carry Nation smashes up her first saloon, causing several thousand dollars in damage and landing in jail (More info)

Yo-Yo Ma, Toni Braxton.

Edgar Allan Poe dies, ‘Cats’ opens on Broadway, The Motion Picture Association of America adopts its film-rating system

Here’s a look at some notable birthdays being celebrated today: Raquel Welch Age: 71 Occupation: Actress Known For: Wearing a fur bikini in 1967′s ‘One Million Years B.C.’ and the resulting poster that has adorned the walls of countless guys for decades, being a pitchwoman for Foster Grant, and her impossibly ageless beauty Michael Keaton Age: 60 Occupation: Actor Known For: Roles in ‘Mr. Mom,’

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1774 – First Continental Congress assembles in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (More info) 1836 – Sam Houston is elected as the first president of the Republic of Texas (More info)

Here’s a look at some notable birthdays being celebrated today: Shania Twain Age: 46 Occupation: Singer and Songwriter Known For: Country/pop crossover hits such as ‘You’re Still the One,’ ‘That Don’t Impress Me Much,’ and ‘Man! I Feel Like a Woman!,’ five Grammy awards, her divorce from music producer Mutt Lange after he had an affair with her best friend, and her recent karmic-justice marria

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1867 – During World War II, the United States takes possession of the then-unoccupied Midway Atoll (More info) 1963 – At the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, Martin Luther King, Jr. gives his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech (More info)

Here’s a look at some notable birthdays being celebrated today: Shelley Long Age: 62 Occupation: Actress Known For: Her Emmy Award-winning role as snooty Diane Chambers on the iconic hit TV series ‘Cheers,’ and playing mom Carol Brady in ‘The Brady Bunch’ movie franchise Kobe Bryant Age: 33 Occupation: Professional Basketball Player Known For: Five NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers, mu

Here’s a look at some notable birthdays being celebrated today: Dustin Hoffman Age: 74 Occupation: Actor Known For: A half-century of work on stage and screen, including the films ‘The Graduate’ and ‘Tootsie,’ and Academy Awards for his roles in ‘Kramer vs. Kramer’ and ‘Rain Man’ Robin Quivers Age: 58 Occupation: Radio Personality Known For: Working with Howard Stern for almost three decades witho

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1946 – Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis stage their first show as a comedy team at Club 500 in Atlantic City, New Jersey (More info) 1965 – Bob Dylan goes electric as he plugs in at the Newport Folk Festival, signaling a major change in folk and rock music (More info)

Here’s a look at some notable birthdays being celebrated today: Matt LeBlanc Age: 44 Occupation: Actor Known For: A decade playing dumb-but-sweet Joey Tribbiani on ‘Friends,’ and a current role on the Showtime series ‘Episodes’ Michael Welch Age: 24 Occupation: Actor Known For: Portraying Luke Girardi on the TV series ‘Joan of Arcadia’ and Mike Newton in the ‘Twilight’ film franchise

Here’s a look at some notable birthdays being celebrated today: David Spade Age: 47 Occupation: Actor Known For: His work on ‘Saturday Night Live,’ the sitcoms ‘Just Shoot Me’ and ‘Rules of Engagement,’ films such as ‘Tommy Boy,’ and his longtime friendship with the late Chris Farley Selena Gomez Age: 19 Occupation: Actress and Singer Known For: Starring on the Disney Channel series ‘Wizards of