This day in history

[November 04, 2010]  (AP)  Today is Thursday, Nov. 4, the 308th day of 2010. There are 57 days left in the year.

Today's highlight in history:

On Nov. 4, 1980, Ronald Reagan won the White House as he defeated President Jimmy Carter by a strong margin.

On this date:

In 1884, Democrat Grover Cleveland was elected to his first term as president, defeating Republican James G. Blaine.

In 1922, the entrance to King Tutankhamen's tomb was discovered in Egypt.

In 1924, Nellie T. Ross of Wyoming was elected the nation's first female governor to serve out the remaining term of her late husband, William B. Ross.

In 1939, the United States modified its neutrality stance in World War II, allowing "cash and carry" purchases of arms by belligerents, a policy favoring Britain and France.

In 1942, during World War II, Axis forces retreated from El Alamein in North Africa in a major victory for British forces commanded by Lt. Gen. Bernard Montgomery.

In 1952, Dwight D. Eisenhower was elected president, defeating Democrat Adlai Stevenson.

In 1979, the Iran hostage crisis began as militants stormed the United States Embassy in Tehran, seizing its occupants; for some, it was the start of 444 days of captivity.

In 1991, Ronald Reagan opened his presidential library in Simi Valley, Calif. with a dedication attended by President George H.W. Bush and former Presidents Jimmy Carter, Gerald R. Ford and Richard Nixon -- the first-ever gathering of five past and present U.S. chief executives.

In 1995, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated by a right-wing Israeli minutes after attending a festive peace rally.

In 2008, Democrat Barack Obama was elected the first black president of the United States, defeating Republican John McCain.

Ten years ago: Yugoslavia's parliament approved the country's first communist-free government in more than half a century. President Bill Clinton vetoed a bill that would have criminalized the leaking of government secrets.

Five years ago: Violent anti-U.S. protests broke out in Mar Del Plata, Argentina, where President George W. Bush was promoting free trade at the Summit of the Americas. Jewish Defense League activist Earl Krugel, imprisoned for his role in a bomb plot, died after being assaulted in a federal prison in Phoenix; he was 62.

One year ago: An Italian judge found 23 Americans and two Italians guilty in the kidnapping of an Egyptian terror suspect, delivering the first legal convictions anywhere in the world against people involved in the CIA's extraordinary renditions program. The New York Yankees won the World Series, beating the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies 7-3 in Game 6 behind Hideki Matsui's record-tying six RBIs. Former NBA referee Tim Donaghy (DAHN'-uh-hee) was released after serving most of a 15-month sentence in a gambling scandal.

Today's birthdays: Actress Doris Roberts is 80. Actress Loretta Swit is 73. Rhythm-and-blues singer Harry Elston (Friends of Distinction) is 72. Blues singer Delbert McClinton is 70. Former first lady Laura Bush is 64. Actress Markie Post is 60. Rock singer-musician Chris Difford (Squeeze) is 56. Country singer Kim Forester (The Forester Sisters) is 50. Actress-comedian Kathy Griffin is 50. Actor Ralph Macchio is 49. "Survivor" host Jeff Probst is 49. Rock singer-musician Wayne Static (Static-X) is 45. Actor Matthew McConaughey is 41. Rapper-producer Sean "Puffy" Combs is 41. Rhythm-and-blues singer Shawn Rivera (Az Yet) is 39. Actress Heather Tom is 35. Rhythm-and-blues/gospel singer George Huff is 30.

Thought for today: "The line of least resistance was always the most difficult line in the long run." -- Peter Cheyney, English author (1896-1951)

[Associated Press]

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