History

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1871 – The Great Chicago Fire begins and goes on to kill 250 people, leave 100,000 people homeless, and destroy thousands of buildings (More info) 1956 – The New York Yankees' Don Larsen pitches the only perfect game in World Series history (More info)

Here's a look at some notable birthdays being celebrated today: Matt Damon Age: 43 Occupation: Actor, Screenwriter, and Activist Known For: Winning an Oscar for co-writing 'Good Will Hunting' along with close friend Ben Affleck, starring in the 'Ocean's' trilogy and the 'Bourne' series of movies, and his charitable work with organizations such as the ONE Campaign, H2O Africa Foundation, and Water.

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1849 – Poet-writer Edgar Allan Poe dies at age 40 (More info) 1959 – USSR probe Luna 3 transmits the first ever photographs of the far side of the Moon (More info)

Here's a look at some notable birthdays being celebrated today: Simon Cowell Age: 54 Occupation: Record Executive, Television Personality, and Entrepreneur Known For: His former role as a judge on 'American Idol,' his current role as a judge on 'X Factor,' his frequently brusque critiques, his charity work for children's and animal charities, and his love-hate relationship with singer Paula Abdul

Here's a look at some notable birthdays being celebrated today: Elisabeth Shue Age: 50 Occupation: Actress Known For: Roles in films such as 'The Karate Kid,' 'Adventures in Babysitting,' 'Cocktail,' 'Back to the Future Part II', 'Back to the Future Part III,' and her Oscar-nominated role in 'Leaving Las Vegas'

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1876 – The American Library Association is founded (More info) 1884 – The Naval War College of the United States Navy is founded in Newport, Rhode Island (More info)

C-SPAN was in Augusta last month working on a show about the history and literary life of the capital city. I remember there were visits to the Maine State Museum, the Maine State Archives, the State House, Old Fort Western and the Blaine House. There were interviews about the Edwards Dam. They were talking with local authors and talked to people in Augusta about what they're reading and visit spe

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1921 – The World Series is broadcast on the radio for the first time (More info) 1945 – A six-month strike by Hollywood set decorators turns into a bloody riot at the gates of Warner Brothers' studios (More info)

Here's a look at some notable birthdays being celebrated today: Kate Winslet Age: 37 Occupation: Actress Known For: Films such as 'Sense and Sensibility,' 'Titanic,' and 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,' winning the Academy Award for 'The Reader,' and being the youngest actor ever to accrue six Oscar nominations

Here's a look at some notable birthdays being celebrated today: Susan Sarandon Age: 67 Occupation: Actress and Activist Known For: Roles in films like 'Thelma and Louise' and 'Bull Durham,' winning an Oscar for 1995's 'Dead Man Walking,' her former longtime relationship with actor Tim Robbins, and being an activist for numerous social and political causes

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1535 – The first complete English-language Bible, the Coverdale Bible, is printed (More info) 1582 – Pope Gregory XIII implements the Gregorian Calendar (More info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1863 – President Abraham Lincoln declares the last Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day (More info) 1951 – The "Shot Heard 'Round the World," one of the greatest moments in sports history, occurs (More info)

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1919 – President Woodrow Wilson suffers a massive stroke, leaving him partially paralyzed (More info) 1950 – Charles M. Schulz's iconic comic strip, 'Peanuts,' is first published (More info)

Here's a look at some notable birthdays being celebrated today: Kelly Ripa Age: 42 Occupation: Actress and Television Host Known For: Spending 12 years on the soap opera 'All My Children,' serving as the co-host of 'Live with Regis and Kelly' along with Regis Philbin from 2001-2011, now co-host of 'Live with Kelly and Michael' along with Michael Strahan, and her marriage to actor Mark Consuelos Re

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history: 1931 – The George Washington Bridge linking New Jersey and New York opens (More info) 1946 – Twelve Nazi leaders are sentenced to death at the Nuremberg Trials (More info)

Here's a look at some notable birthdays being celebrated today: Jimmy Carter Age: 88 Occupation: Politician and Activist Known For: Serving as the 39th President of the United States, creating the the Department of Energy and the Department of Education while in office, winning the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize for his human rights work, and his extensive worldwide travels to conduct peace negotiations,