Today in History
Historical Events
Coup in Tunisia. In a bloodless coup in Tunisia, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali took over the Presidentship of Tunisia from President Habib Bourguiba.
Coup in Thailand. The military staged a coup against Thawan Thamrong Nawasawat and installed Khuang Aphaiwong as Prime Minister.
October Revolution. The Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, took over the winter palace and ended the rule of the post-Tsarist provisional government and transferred all powers to the communists in Russia
First woman to be elected to US Congress. Jeannette Rankin from Montana became the first woman to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
First inter-city cycle race. The first city to city cycle race was held between Paris and Rouen. James Moore, an Englishman living in Paris at that time won the race.
Famous Births
Born on this day

David Petraeus
1952
American military officer, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency

Joni Mitchell
1943
Canadian singer-songwriter, guitarist

Albert Camus
1913
French author, journalist, philosopher, Nobel Prize laureate

C. V. Raman
1888
Indian physicist, Nobel Prize laureate

Marie Curie
1867
Polish chemist, physicist, Nobel Prize laureate
Famous Deaths
Died on this day

Joe Frazier
2011
American boxer

Steve Mc
1980
QueenAmerican actor

Eleanor Roosevelt
1962
American politician, humanitarian, 34th First Lady of the United States

Alfred Russel Wallace
1913
Welsh/English geographer, biologist, explorer