Amnesty

Today is Amnesty International Day. Amnesty International works to protect human rights around the world. AI was founded based on articles published on this day. Peter Benensons article was titled The Forgotten Prisoners.

  

1999, after 22 years of restorations, The Last Supper, by Leonardo di Vinci, was put back on display.

1971, the most decorated American WWII soldier (32 medals in 27 months of duty), Audie Murphy, died in a small plane crash near Catawba, VA (west of Roanoke). His grave is the second most visited grave at Arlington National Cemetery (JFK’s is first). Oh, he also appeared in 44 movies after his return from the war.

1945, John Fogerty, Centerfiled singer, was born

1944, Gladys Knight, lead singer for Gladys Knight and the Pips, was born.

Also in 1944,  Former NYC mayor, Rudy Giuliani was born.

1931, actress Carroll Baker was born. She can be found in films such as: Giant, The Greatest Story Ever Told, Kindergarten Cop and The Game.

1916, Walker Percy, was born. His first novel, The Moviegoer, won the 1962 National Book Award.

1908, Ian Fleming, creator and writer of James Bond novels and, one of my personal faves, Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang.

1892, The Sierra Club was organized by John Muir in San Francisco.

1888, Jim Thorpe, Olympic athlete, was born. He played basketball, football and baseball but was called the greatest athlete in the early 20^th century including several Olympic participations wit pentathlon and decathlon.Although his medals were stripped because he was found to have been payed to play baseball, they were reinstated his Olympic name in 1983, 30 years after his death.

1843, Noah Webster, lexicographer died.  With his Dictionary of the English Language, Mr. Webster reformed spelling.

-585, Solar Eclipse occurred. This day is considered a cadinal date and can help find other dates in history.