Today's Trivia and What Happened on November 20

Place 20 penguins into 3 cages so that each cage has an odd number of penguins in it. (without cutting up any penguins)

Place 20 penguins into 3 cages so that each cage has an odd number of penguins in it. (without cutting up any penguins) Close Large View

Place 1 penguin in the first cage, 1 penguin in the second cage, and 18 penguins in the last cage. Because 18 is certainly an odd number of penguins to place in one cage.

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Quote: How come no one ever walks up and says, "We Need to Listen". - jeff denson

Quote: How come no one ever walks up and says, "We Need to Listen". - jeff denson Close Large View

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Holidays

Feast Day of Saint Felix of Valois

French Monk, helped found (c1197) the Trinitarians.

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What Happened On

Microsoft Windows 1.0 Photo Credit: Used with permission from Microsoft

Microsoft Windows 1.0 Photo Credit: Used with permission from Microsoft
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Microsoft Windows 1.0

November 20, 1985

Microsoft's first Graphical User Interface (GUI) is officially released.

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The Day After

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The Day After

November 20, 1983

The ABC TV movie The Day After sets the record as the highest-rated television film in history up to that time - 100 million viewers.
It depicted the aftermath of a nuclear war between Russia and the United States.

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Donald Rumsfeld Becomes Youngest U.S. Secretary of Defense

Donald Rumsfeld Becomes Youngest U.S. Secretary of Defense Close Large View

Donald Rumsfeld Becomes Youngest U.S. Secretary of Defense

November 20, 1975

42-year-old Donald Rumsfeld becomes the youngest Secretary of Defense in American history, serving under Gerald Ford until 1977. In 2001, he was again appointed Secretary of Defense by George W. Bush, serving until 2006, making him also the oldest in American history at 74 years old.

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Adamski's photo of Orthon's ship featured on a Grenada stamp (right) Adamski's photo of Orthon's ship featured on a Grenada stamp (right)

Adamski's photo of Orthon's ship featured on a Grenada stamp (right) Adamski's photo of Orthon's ship featured on a Grenada stamp (right)
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UFOs

November 20, 1952

George Adamski, who is often referred to as the first abductee, has another of his many encounters with UFOs. This time he claims to have made contact with a Venusian named Orthon. Adamski described Orthon as a medium-height humanoid with long blond hair and tanned skin wearing reddish-brown shoes who communicated with him via telepathy and hand signals. Although Adamski said Orthon would not allow himself to be photographed, Adamski did make plaster casts of his footprints.
Adamski would have another encounter with Orthon the following month when he took a photo of Orthon's ship.

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Nuremberg Trials Begin

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Nuremberg Trials Begin

November 20, 1945

Prosecution begins against 24 former Nazi leaders for war crimes; 12 of which were sentenced to death.

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Scene from Moby-Dick Scene from Moby-Dick

Scene from Moby-Dick Scene from Moby-Dick
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Real-Life Moby Dick

November 20, 1820

The American whaling ship Essex is attacked and sank by a giant sperm whale. The 20-man crew was forced to make for land in the ship's whaleboats. With little provisions for the 2,000 nautical miles (2,301 mi, 3,700 km) to South America, they were forced to resort to cannibalism during the voyage. At first, they consumed the bodies of those who died, then they drew lots for someone to be sacrificed to be consumed by the others. Herman Melville drew from this incident to write his 1851 classic Moby-Dick.
On the morning of November 20, 1820, the crew spotted an unusually large sperm whale. The whale then rammed the ship. At first appearing stunned, the whale eventually swam away from the ship only to return at a high rate of speed, ramming the ship once again. This time it rammed the ship hard enough to shatter the bow. The whale then swam off as the Essex sank. The crew gathered what supplies they could salvage and took to the three of the ship's smaller whaling boats.
One month later, they found a small uninhabited island, but within a week had consumed the island's resources and took back to the sea, with three crew members choosing to stay behind.
A few weeks later, after the provisions ran out, the men on the boats began to die. The first two were given burials at sea, but after that the crew began cannibalizing the dead. And on February 1st, after having eaten the other corpses, they drew lots for one man to be sacrificed for food for the others. After he was eaten, the survivors continued consuming the corpses of the men who died.
One of the whaling boats was lost at sea with its members presumed dead. Another boat containing three survivors was spotted on February 18th by another whaling ship and rescued. The remaining boat, containing the captain and another survivor, was rescued on February 23rd just off the coast of South America. The three men on the island were rescued the following April.

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Michael Jackson's Balcony Thriller

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Michael Jackson's Balcony Thriller

November 20, 2002

Singer Michael Jackson holds his son out over a 4th floor balcony of a Berlin hotel. Jackson later apologized, saying he had made a "terrible mistake."

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Space Station in 2000 Space Station in 2000

Space Station in 2000 Space Station in 2000
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International Space Station

November 20, 1998

The first piece of the International Space Station (ISS) is launched. It was the first part of what would become the largest man-made object to orbit the Earth and is expected to operate until 2028.

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NAFTA

November 20, 1993

The North American Free Trade Agreement is passed by the U.S. Congress, creating the world's largest free trade zone among the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

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Windsor Castle Fire

November 20, 1992

The home of the British royal family for 850 years catches fire causing extensive damage. Repairs to the castle cost £36.5 million and resulted in Buckingham Palace, the Queen's other official residence, being opened to the public to help pay for the restoration work.

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Alcatraz - Native American Occupation

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Alcatraz - Native American Occupation

November 20, 1969

A group of Native Americans claim ownership and begin occupying the recently-closed Alcatraz prison. Citing the Treaty of Fort Laramie (1868), they claimed abandoned or out-of-use federal land should be returned to the Native people from whom it was acquired. They were forcibly removed in 1971.

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Cuban Missile Crisis

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Cuban Missile Crisis

November 20, 1962

As the crisis ends, U.S. President John F. Kennedy ends the quarantine of Cuba.

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Beethoven's Fidelio

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Beethoven's Fidelio

November 20, 1805

First performance of Ludwig van Beethoven's classic opera Fidelio. It was his only opera and it tells the story of how Leonore, disguised as a prison guard named "Fidelio," rescues her husband from death in a political prison.

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Bill of Rights

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Bill of Rights

November 20, 1789

New Jersey becomes the first state to ratify the Bill of Rights.
The Bill of Rights comprises the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution. It provides guarantees of personal freedoms and rights, clear limitations on the government's power in judicial and other proceedings, and explicit declarations that all powers not specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution are reserved to the states or the people.

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Birthdays

Joe Biden

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Joe Biden (Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr.)

Born November 20, 1942

American politician. U.S. President (2020‑), 47th U.S. Vice-President (2009-17), U.S. Senator (1973-2009, Delaware). He was the first Roman Catholic U.S. Vice President.

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Ann Turner Cook

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The Gerber Baby

Ann Turner Cook

Born November 20, 1926 d. 2022

American baby model, The Gerber Baby. When she was five months old, a neighbor did a charcoal sketch of her. When Gerber launched a contest for a baby image for their products, her sketch was chosen.

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Robert Francis Kennedy

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Robert Francis Kennedy

Born November 20, 1925 d. 1968

American politician, U.S. Senator and brother of John F. Kennedy. He was assassinated by Sirhan Bishara Sirhan.

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Kula (left), Ollie (middle) and Fran Kula (left), Ollie (middle) and Fran

Kula (left), Ollie (middle) and Fran Kula (left), Ollie (middle) and Fran
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Fran Allison

Born November 20, 1907 d. 1989

American actress. TV: Kukla, Fran, and Ollie (1947-57).
Kukla, Fran, and Ollie started as Junior Jamboree on Chicago's WBKB-TV in 1947. The name was changed to Kukla, Fran, and Ollie when Fran Allison and the Kuklapolitan Players were picked up by NBC the following year. The unscripted show was ad-libbed and was soon watched by more adults than children. Burr Tillstrom was the creator and puppeteer for the show.
In 1953, an episode of Kukla, Fran and Ollie was the first publicly announced NTSC "compatible color" system program, although it was viewable in color only at the network's headquarters.

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Chester Gould

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Creator of Dick Tracy

Chester Gould

Born November 20, 1900 d. 1985

American cartoonist. Creator of Dick Tracy (1931).

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Sean Young

Born November 20, 1959

American actress. Film: Blade Runner (1982, Rachael the android), No Way Out (1987), and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994).

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Bo Derek (Cathleen Collins)

Born November 20, 1956

American actress. Film: "10" (1979), Tarzan, the Ape Man (1981), and Bolero (1984).

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Joe Walsh

Born November 20, 1947

American singer, with The Eagles. Music: Hotel California (1976, #1) and Smuggler's Blues (1985).

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Duane Allman Photo Credit: Ed Berman

Duane Allman Photo Credit: Ed Berman
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Duane Allman

Born November 20, 1946 d. 1971

American slide guitarist, leader of the Allman Brothers Band. In 1969, he and his brother Gregg Allman formed the Allman Brothers Band. Duane also duetted with Eric Clapton for Layla (1970).
Allman died in a motorcycle crash after he crashed into the side of a flatbed truck carrying a crane.

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Veronica Hamel

Born November 20, 1943

American actress. TV: Hill Street Blues (1981-87, Joyce Davenport).

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Bob Einstein

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Super Dave Osborne

Bob Einstein

Born November 20, 1942 d. 2019

American actor. He created the character Super Dave Osborne, known for his stunts that usually go horribly wrong. Film: The Extreme Adventures Of Super Dave (2000). He is the brother of actor Albert Brooks.

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Dick Smothers

Born November 20, 1939

American comedian, one of the Smothers Brothers.
TV: The Smothers Brothers Show (1965-66) and The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (1967-69).

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Richard Dawson

Born November 20, 1932 d. 2012

British-American actor. TV: Hogan's Heroes (Corporal Newkirk) and Family Feud (1976-85, 1994-95, host).

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Estelle Parsons

Born November 20, 1927

American actress. Film: Bonnie and Clyde (1967, Oscar, as Blanche Barrow), Rachel, Rachel (1968, as the lesbian religious fanatic), Dick Tracy (1990, Tess Truehart).

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Kaye Ballard

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Kaye Ballard (Catherine Gloria Balotta)

Born November 20, 1925 d. 2019

American actress. Her catchphrase was "Good luck with your MOUTH!", a phrase her mother would scold her with as a child.

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Jim Garrison (Earling Carothers Garrison)

Born November 20, 1921 d. 1992

American lawyer, New Orleans district attorney. His investigation into the Kennedy assassination was the basis of Oliver Stone's film JFK (1991).

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Alistair Cooke (Alfred Alistair)

Born November 20, 1908 d. 2004

English-born journalist, Emmy-winning host of TV's Masterpiece Theatre. His bones were reportedly stolen by body snatchers working for a tissue recovery firm.

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Edwin Powell Hubble

Born November 20, 1889 d. 1953

American astronomer. He is noted for his investigations of nebulae and for creating and developing the concepts of an expanding universe. The Hubble Space Telescope is named after him.

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James Michael Curley

Born November 20, 1874 d. 1958

American politician, "last of the big city political bosses," four-time mayor of Boston, governor of Massachusetts (1935-37). He served two prison terms (1904, 1947) while mayor. The movie The Last Hurrah (1958) was modeled after his career.

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This is a birthday

Kenesaw Mountain Landis

Born November 20, 1866 d. 1944

American federal judge. He served as the first baseball commissioner (1921-44), during which he barred eight Chicago players from baseball in the famous "Black Sox Scandal".

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Selma Lagerlof

Born November 20, 1858 d. 1940

Swedish author, first woman to receive the Nobel Prize for literature (1909).

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Sir Wilfrid Laurier

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Sir Wilfrid Laurier

Born November 20, 1841 d. 1919

Canadian statesman, premier of Canada (1896-1911).

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Pius VIII

Born November 20, 1761 d. 1830

Italian religious leader, 253rd Pope (1829-30).

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Oliver Wolcott

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Oliver Wolcott

Born November 20, 1726 d. 1797

American statesman. Signer of the Declaration of Independence and governor of Connecticut (1796-97).

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Peregrine White

Born November 20, 1620 d. 1704

New World pioneer. He was the first child born of English parents in New England. He was born aboard the Mayflower while it was anchored just off of Cape Cod.

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Deaths

Michael J. Pollard

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Michael J. Pollard (Michael John Pollack, Jr.)

Died November 20, 2019 b. 1939

American actor. Film: Bonnie and Clyde (1967, C.W. Moss - the duo's dimwitted partner) and Tango & Cash (1989, Owen). Broadway: Bye Bye Birdie (1960, Hugo Peabody).

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Robert Altman

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Robert Altman

Died November 20, 2006 b. 1925

American film director. Known for his use of overlapping dialogue from multiple actors, he is ranked as one of the greatest and most influential filmmakers in American cinema. Film: M*A*S*H (1970) and Nashville (1975).

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Generalissimo Francisco Franco

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Generalissimo Francisco Franco (Francisco Franco Bahamonde)

Died November 20, 1975 b. 1892

Spanish dictator (1939-75). With the help of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy he overthrew the democratically elected Second Republic during the Spanish Civil War. However, he declined Adolf Hitler's request to join the Axis. He did provide some support to the Axis powers, but remained mostly neutral during World War II. He banned all religions except Catholicism and claimed to have locked up 26,000 political prisoners.
"This just in, Generalissimo Francisco Franco is still dead!" (Chevy Chase on SNL).

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Alexandra of Denmark

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Alexandra of Denmark

Died November 20, 1925 b. 1844

Queen of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, wife of King Edward VII of England.

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Nathaniel Currier

Died November 20, 1888 b. 1813

American lithographer, co-founded (1857) Currier & Ives, which recorded American history in their prints from the mid 1800s to the turn of the century.

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Infant King of France

John I

Died November 20, 1316 b. 1316

King of France (1316), posthumous son of King Louis X. Was King of France on his birth, but died five days later. It is rumored that his uncle Philip either killed him or substituted him with a dead infant.

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