On this day in 1663 clergyman Cotton Mather was born in Boston, Massachusetts. The son of a colonial politician, Mather was Puritan minister who authored over 400 works on history, science and theology. His most read book was the 'The Great Works of Christ in America' (1702), a recount of the history of New England. Mather is also attributed to with inciting the Salem witchcraft trials. 
1663 Dr Cotton Mather witchcraft authority geboren 

His life was what America was all about. An average boy, born on this day in 1809 on a farm in a log cabin in Hodgenville, Kentucky, was able to become the 16th President of the United States.

He studied hard, by the light of a fireplace, to become first, a lawyer, then a statesman. Abraham Lincoln, one of the most revered U.S. Presidents, served his country during one of the most turbulent times in its history. The term of his presidency (1861-1865) encompassed the Civil War between the States. His Emancipation Proclamation made on January 1, 1863 to free slaves; and his Gettysburg Address given on November 19, 1863 at the site of one of the most famous battlegrounds of the Civil War are still held high as classic statements of democratic beliefs and goals.

President Lincoln was also responsible for one of the most popular holidays in the U.S.: Thanksgiving Day. He proclaimed that the last Thursday of November shall be observed as such. And so it was, and still is.

Abraham Lincoln lived during tragic times and died a tragic death. While watching a performance of Our American Cousin at Washington’s Ford Theatre, he was shot by John Wilkes Booth and died a few hours later. Lincoln was the first U.S. President to be assassinated.

‘Honest Abe’ earned his nickname when he was practicing law in Illinois. It was his unfailing honesty that made him known throughout the state. When convinced that his client was right, he could argue the case strongly. If not convinced, he was hardly powerful in his client’s defense. Lincoln would persuade clients to settle out of court even though that meant he would receive a lesser fee. And, when this was not possible, he could argue a case equally as well before a judge or before an uneducated jury. To Abe Lincoln, being a lawyer or President meant seeking the truth for client or for country.

Charles G. Booth (105), Filmschaffende/R, geboren
Dziga Vertov (105), Filmschaffende/R, geboren
1896 Charles Louis Ambrose Thomas French composer (Mignon), dies at 84 gestorben
1896 Isaac Murphy jockey, 628 win on 1,412 mounts (44.5%), dies at 35 gestorben

 1923 - Franco Zeffirelli (Corsi)
director: The Champ, The Taming of the Shrew, Othello, Endless Love, Jesus of Nazareth, geboren

1924 - Bandleader Paul Whiteman presented his unique symphonic jazz at the Aeolian Hall in New York City. The concert marked the first public performance of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody In Blue. The composer, himself, was at the piano this night. Distinguished guests included John Philip Sousa and Jascha Heifetz.

1924 - Calvin Coolidge, known by many as the ‘Silent President’, made the first presidential political speech on radio. The speech originated from New York City and was broadcast on five radio stations. Some five million people tuned in to hear the President speak.

1924 - The Eveready Hour became radio’s first sponsored network program. The National Carbon Company took the honor of being the first sponsor of a network show. Today, the battery maker “keeps on going, and going, and going, and going...”
Meisterwerk Gershwins
In New York wird am 12. Februar 1924 die »Rhapsody in Blue« von George Gershwin, ein Klavierkonzert mit Jazzorchester, uraufgeführt. 
Premiere "Rhapsody in Blue"
Gershwins Konzert für Klavier und Jazzorchester wird in der Aeolian Hall in New York City uraufgeführt.
1924 - In der Carnegie Hall in New York wird George Gershwins «Rhapsody in Blue», ein Klavierkonzert mit Jazzorchester, uraufgeführt

 1935 - Ken Still

 1938 - Johnny Rutherford
auto racer: Indianapolis 500 winner: 1974, 1976, 1980 [oldest driver to win an Indy race], geboren

 1945 - Cliff De Young
actor: Blue Collar, F/X, Sunshine, Master of the Game, Centennial, geboren