World Events Today
- Crime boss Carlo “Don Carlo” Gambino, born in Palermo, Sicily, entered the United States today in 1921 as an illegal immigrant
- The first truly successful kidney transplant was performed today in 1954, the recipient, Richard Herrick, lived for 8 years after the transplant
- Lynette Alice “Squeaky” Fromme, a member of the Manson family who had also attempted to assassinate the President of the United States, Gerald Ford, escaped from prison today in 1987, she was recaptured within 2 days
Entertainment Events Today
- Jane Austen’s fourth novel, Emma, was published today in 1815
- The British rock music television programme, Ready Steady Go, also known as RSG, aired for the last time today in 1966
- The American romantic comedy movie, As Good As It Gets, starring Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt was released today in 1997, they both won an Academy Award, for Best Actor and Best Actress respectively
Family Events Today
- The British socialite, Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, was born today in 1971 in Basingstoke
- The British saxophonist and jazz club owner, Ronnie Scott, died today in 1996 aged 69
- The Russian general, inventor of the AK-47 assault rifle, Mikhail Kalashnikov, died today in 2013 aged 94
Main Event Today
- After crashing over 2 months prior, the survivors of the Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, were rescued today in 1972 in the Andes, the incident, which involved cannibalism, was portrayed in the movie Alive
National Day Today
- Today, it’s National Roots Day