Today's Trivia and What Happened on November 4

What is seen in the middle of March and April, but never in the beginning or end of either month - and never in May?

What is seen in the middle of March and April, but never in the beginning or end of either month - and never in May? Close Large View

The letter 'R'

Thumbs Up
13
Thumbs Down
6

Quote: Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself. - George Bernard Shaw

Quote: Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself. - George Bernard Shaw Close Large View

Thumbs Up
9
Thumbs Down
0

What Happened On

Iranian students crowd the U.S. Embassy in Tehran Iranian students crowd the U.S. Embassy in Tehran

Iranian students crowd the U.S. Embassy in Tehran Iranian students crowd the U.S. Embassy in Tehran
Close Large View

Iranian Hostage Crisis

November 4, 1979

The U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran is seized and 63 American hostages are taken and held for 444 days. The embassy was taken over by Iranian students who believed the U.S. was attempting to undermine the Iranian Revolution. They also opposed U.S. support of the Shah of Iran who, after being overthrown, went to the U.S. for cancer treatment. They wanted him returned to stand trial for crimes against the Iranian people.

Thumbs Up
5
Thumbs Down
5

First Factory Air-Conditioned Automobile go to Video for First Factory Air-Conditioned Automobile

First Factory Air-Conditioned Automobile Close Large View

First Factory Air-Conditioned Automobile

November 4, 1939

Packard Motor Car Company produces the first factory-installed air-conditioned car, when it offers it as an option for $279 (almost $5,000 in 2019 dollars). It took up about half the trunk had no temperature control, and although you could adjust the blower speed, it ran continuously with no means to turn it off with the engine running. To turn it off or on, the car must be stopped and the compressor belt manually removed or reattached. Cars ordered with AC were were shipped from the Detroit, Michigan factory to Cleveland, Ohio, where Bishop & Babcock installed the system. The option was discontinued after 1941.
After-market air conditioners had been available for cars since 1933.

Thumbs Up
7
Thumbs Down
0

Add Trivia to Your Web Page

First Woman U.S. Governor

First Woman U.S. Governor Close Large View

First Woman U.S. Governor

November 4, 1924

Mrs. Nellie Tayloe Ross is elected by Wyoming, taking office on January 5, 1925. Mrs. Miriam Ferguson was also elected governor of Texas on the same day, but didn't take office until January 20, 1925. The previous governor of Wyoming was Ross' husband who died on office.

Thumbs Up
6
Thumbs Down
1

Join Us on Facebook

King Tutankhamen Photo Credit: Roland Unger

King Tutankhamen Photo Credit: Roland Unger
Close Large View

King Tutankhamen

November 4, 1922

The boy king's tomb is discovered by archaeologist Howard Carter. Carter and Lord Carnarvon would open the tomb and look inside three weeks later. Lord Carnarvon, who financed the excavation, died five months later due to an infected mosquito bite, leading many to speculate, including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (creator of Sherlock Holmes), that his death was caused by protections put in place by Tutankhamen's priests to guard the royal tomb.

Thumbs Up
5
Thumbs Down
5

Electric Light Photo Credit: Alkivar

Electric Light Photo Credit: Alkivar
Close Large View

Electric Light

November 4, 1879

Thomas Edison files a patent for his incandescent electric lamp. Note: Joseph Swan had already patented an incandescent light in Britain the previous year.

Thumbs Up
6
Thumbs Down
2

Death Penalty for Denying Word of God

Death Penalty for Denying Word of God Close Large View

Death Penalty for Denying Word of God

November 4, 1646

Massachusetts Bay Colony enacts the death penalty for anyone who persists in denying that the Holy scriptures are the word of God.

Thumbs Up
2
Thumbs Down
33

First Israeli Commercial TV Channel

November 4, 1993

The first Israeli commercial TV channel begins broadcasting. Some of its first shows included Israeli versions of Wheel of Fortune and Dr. Ruth.

Thumbs Up
8
Thumbs Down
2

Nudity Banned at the University of California at Berkeley

November 4, 1992

It was in response to a student, known as "Naked Guy," who regularly attended classes au naturel.

Thumbs Up
9
Thumbs Down
2

Dan Quayle

Dan Quayle Close Large View

Dan Quayle

November 4, 1988

Four days before the election, a federal prisoner's press conference is canceled by prison officials and he is placed in solitary confinement. He was going to make allegations that he sold marijuana to U.S. Vice-Presidential candidate Dan Quayle in the 1970s.

Thumbs Up
4
Thumbs Down
53

Iran-Contra Affair

November 4, 1986

It is revealed that the Ronald Reagan administration had been illegally shipping weapons to Iran in hopes of obtaining the release of American hostages, in what became known as the Iran-Contra Affair.

Thumbs Up
4
Thumbs Down
53

Record for Lowest Yards

November 4, 1979

The record for lowest yards by a team in an NFL game is set when the Seattle Seahawks make only 7 yards against the Los Angeles Rams.

Thumbs Up
4
Thumbs Down
2

First Democratic U.S. President Since the Civil War

November 4, 1884

Grover Cleveland is elected.

Thumbs Up
3
Thumbs Down
53

Birthdays

Art Carney go to Video for Art Carney

Art Carney Close Large View
This is a birthday

Art Carney

Born November 4, 1918 d. 2003

American Oscar-Emmy-winning actor. Stage: The Odd Couple (1965-67, Felix). Film: Harry and Tonto (1974 Oscar Best Actor, Harry). TV: The Honeymooners (1955-56, Ed Norton). Music: The Song of the Sewer (1955, sung in character as Norton).

Thumbs Up
6
Thumbs Down
0

Walter Cronkite

Walter Cronkite Close Large View
This is a birthday

Walter Cronkite

Born November 4, 1916 d. 2009

American reporter. Reporter for the CBS Evening News (1962-81). "And that's the way it is…" Cronkite became known as "the most trusted man in America" after being so named in a public opinion poll.

Thumbs Up
8
Thumbs Down
0

Will Rogers

Will Rogers Close Large View
This is a birthday

Will Rogers

Born November 4, 1879 d. 1935

American humorist, author. He died in an airplane crash with Wiley Post.
Quote: "I joked about every prominent man of my time, but I never met a man I didn't like."
Quote: "You know everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects."
Quote: "You can't say that civilization don't advance, however, for in every war they kill you in a new way."
Quote: "A comedian can only last till he either takes himself serious or his audience takes him serious."
Quote: "An ignorant person is one who doesn't know what you have just found out."

Thumbs Up
5
Thumbs Down
0

This is a birthday

Ralph Macchio

Born November 4, 1961

American actor. Film: The Karate Kid (1984, title role). TV: Eight is Enough (Jeremy Andretti).

Thumbs Up
5
Thumbs Down
0

This is a birthday

Markie Post

Born November 4, 1950 d. 2021

American actress. TV: The Fall Guy (1982-85, bail bondswoman Terri Michaels), Night Court (1984-92, Christine Sullivan), and Hearts Afire (1992-95, Georgie Anne Lahti Hartman).

Thumbs Up
5
Thumbs Down
0

Laura Bush

Laura Bush Close Large View
This is a birthday

Laura Bush (Laura Lane Welch)

Born November 4, 1946

American First Lady (2001-09). Wife of the 43rd U.S. President George W. Bush.

Thumbs Up
6
Thumbs Down
0

Loretta Swit

Loretta Swit Close Large View
This is a birthday

Loretta Swit

Born November 4, 1937

American Emmy-winning actress. TV: M*A*S*H (1972-83, "Hot Lips" Houlihan) and regular on TV games shows.

Thumbs Up
11
Thumbs Down
0

Doris Roberts

Doris Roberts Close Large View
This is a birthday

Doris Roberts (Doris May Green)

Born November 4, 1925 d. 2016

American Emmy-winning actress. TV: Remington Steele (1983-87, secretary Mildred Krebs) and Everybody Loves Raymond (1996-2005, Raymond's mother).

Thumbs Up
7
Thumbs Down
0

This is a birthday

Martin Balsam

Born November 4, 1919 d. 1996

American Oscar-winning actor. Film: Psycho (1960, Det. Milton Arbogast). TV: Archie Bunker's Place (1979-83, Archie's partner Murray Klein).

Thumbs Up
4
Thumbs Down
0

This is a birthday

Cameron Mitchell

Born November 4, 1918 d. 1994

American actor. TV: High Chaparral (Buck Cannon).

Thumbs Up
3
Thumbs Down
0

James Earle Fraser Photo Credit: National Numismatic Collection, National Museum of American History

James Earle Fraser Photo Credit: National Numismatic Collection, National Museum of American History
Close Large View
This is a birthday

James Earle Fraser

Born November 4, 1876 d. 1953

American sculptor. He designed the U.S. Buffalo nickel.

Thumbs Up
4
Thumbs Down
0

This is a birthday

Benjamin Franklin Goodrich

Born November 4, 1841 d. 1888

American physician, rubber manufacturer, founder of the B.F. Goodrich Co. (1880).

Thumbs Up
4
Thumbs Down
0

Deaths

Richard Hooker and the original "Swamp" at the 8055th M*A*S*H Richard Hooker and the original "Swamp" at the 8055th M*A*S*H
Photo Credit: Wikipedia

Richard Hooker and the original "Swamp" at the 8055th M*A*S*H Richard Hooker and the original "Swamp" at the 8055th M*A*S*H
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Close Large View
This is a death

The Real Hawkeye of M*A*S*H

Hiester Richard Hornberger, Jr.

Died November 4, 1997 b. 1924

American author. Hornberger wrote the book Mash: A Novel About Three Army Doctors (1968, using the pseudonym Richard Hooker) which was the inspiration for the movie M*A*S*H and TV series of the same name. The character Hawkeye Pierce was based on his experiences while an army surgeon during the Korean War (1950-1953).
Hornberger didn't like his portrayal in the TV series, as he was a political conservative and did not like the anti-war and liberal tendencies of his onscreen characterization.
His book was initially turned down by 21 publishers.

Thumbs Up
21
Thumbs Down
0

Andy Rooney Photo Credit: Stephenson Brown

Andy Rooney Photo Credit: Stephenson Brown
Close Large View
This is a death

Andy Rooney

Died November 4, 2011 b. 1919

American Emmy-winning commentator. TV: 60 Minutes (1978-2011, "Did you ever wonder…").
He was one of the first American journalists to visit and write about Nazi concentration camps at the end of World War II. Rooney stated that he had been opposed to World War II because he was a pacifist, but what he saw in the concentration camps made him ashamed that he had opposed the war and permanently changed his opinions about whether "just wars" exist.
He built the walnut table he used on 60 Minutes himself.

Thumbs Up
5
Thumbs Down
0

This is a death

Michael Crichton

Died November 4, 2008 b. 1942

American author. Writings: The Andromeda Strain (1969), Westworld (1973), and Jurassic Park (1993).

Thumbs Up
4
Thumbs Down
0

This is a death

Howard A. Rusk

Died November 4, 1989 b. 1901

American physician, founder of physical therapy. He developed physical therapy while working with wounded WWII soldiers.

Thumbs Up
3
Thumbs Down
0

This is a death

Cy Young (Denton True Young)

Died November 4, 1955 b. 1867

American baseball Hall of Famer, winningest baseball pitcher ever with 511 wins.

Thumbs Up
3
Thumbs Down
0

1939 WPA poster 1939 WPA poster

1939 WPA poster 1939 WPA poster
Close Large View
This is a death

Max Adler

Died November 4, 1952 b. 1866

American philanthropist. He was key to creating the first U.S. public planetarium, the Adler Planetarium and Astronomical Museum (1930), in the city of Chicago. Adler donated the funds for its construction, a Zeiss projector, and a collection of antique scientific instruments.
Adler was a concert violinist before he became a vice president at Sears Roebuck & Co. after marrying into the family that controlled the company.

Thumbs Up
3
Thumbs Down
0

This is a death

Carl Thomas Anderson

Died November 4, 1948 b. 1865

American cartoonist. Creator of Henry.

Thumbs Up
3
Thumbs Down
0

This is a death

Charles "Buddy" Bolden

Died November 4, 1931 b. 1877

American New Orleans cornetist. He is reputed to have invented jazz music. Suffering from schizophrenia, he spent the last 24 years of his life in an insane asylum.

Thumbs Up
3
Thumbs Down
0

This is a death

Eugene Field

Died November 4, 1895 b. 1850

American author. Poems: Wynken, Blynken, and Nod (1888) and Little Boy Blue (1888).

Thumbs Up
3
Thumbs Down
0

This is a death

George Peabody

Died November 4, 1869 b. 1795

American financier, philanthropist, and for whom Peabody, Massachusetts is named. He founded the Peabody Institute in Maryland, the Peabody Museums at Yale and Harvard, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame for Great Americans (1900).

Thumbs Up
3
Thumbs Down
0

This is a death

Felix Mendelssohn

Died November 4, 1847 b. 1809

German composer, musician. He wrote Midsummer's Night's Dream overture before he was 17.

Thumbs Up
3
Thumbs Down
0

This is a death

Saint Felix of Valois

Died November 4, 1212 b. 1127

French Monk and hermit. Co-founder with Saint John of Matha of the Trinitarians (c1197). The Trinitarians were originally devoted to freeing Christian slaves from Muslim captivity.

Thumbs Up
3
Thumbs Down
0