Important Events

1492 Christopher Columbus 1st learns about growing and harvesting maize (corn) from Cuba’s indigenous population

1556 Second Battle of Panipat: Hindu Emperor of north India Hem Chandra Vikramaditya defeated by forces of Mughal Emperor Akbar, who captures and later beheads Hem Chandra

1605 Gunpowder Plot: Catholic conspirator Guy Fawkes attempts to blow up King James I and the British Parliament. Plot discovered, Guy Fawkes caught, tortured and later executed along with seven others. Celebrated ever since as Guy Fawkes Day, where his effigy is traditionally burned on a bonfire, accompanied by fireworks.

1937 Adolf Hitler informs his military leaders in a secret meeting of his intentions of going to war

1956 Britain and France land airborne forces at Port Said in Egypt, escalating the Suez Crisis

1979 Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Khomeini describes the United States as “The Great Satan” amid accusations of imperialism and the sponsoring of corruption

Today In Film & TV

1956 The Nat King Cole Show debuts on NBC, the first variety program to be hosted by an African-American

Today In Music

1955 The rebuilt Vienna State Opera reopens with Ludwig van Beethoven’s Fidelio after it was destroyed in World War II

Today In Sports

1992 “Revenge Match of the 20th century” American chess grandmaster Bobby Fischer defeats Russian Boris Spassky to win an unofficial match in Belgrade