Major Robert Lawrence(the first African American astronaut, was killed during training exercises)–
John Lennon(musician, founding member of The Beatles)–
John Glenn(astronaut, first American to orbit Earth)–
Caroll Spinney(puppeteer; best known for Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch)–
Events
American Federation of Labor is organized at Columbus, Ohio, with Samuel Gompers as first president–
American Bird Banding Association formed, first such society in U.S.–
The San Francisco Symphony Orchestra gave its first concert–
John McCrae’s In Flanders Fields poem was published–
U.S. declared war on Japan (WW II)–
Nine N.Y.C. newspapers shut down when International Typographical Union workers strike–
Musician and former Beatle John Lennon was shot and killed in New York City–
Russian leaders announced the dissolution of the Soviet Union–
Element 111, roentgenium, first created–
At three Anheuser-Busch properties (Merrimack, New Hampshire; St. Louis, Missouri; and Fort Collins, Colorado) 896 couples gathered to kiss under the mistletoe, setting a new Guinness World Record–
Weather
Icefalls at Gay Hill, Texas, averaged four to six inches in diameter–
