In 1895, the United States formally declared war on Spain (effective four days earlier. In 1945, U.S. and Soviet troops met at the Elbe River in Germany, signaling the defeat of German defenses. In 1953, the journal Nature published an article by Francis Crick and James Watson that described their pioneering discovery of the structure of DNA. In 2005, Syrian troops withdrew from Lebanon after three decades of occupation.

Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658), military leader/statesman; Edward R. Murrow (1908-65), journalist; Ella Fitzgerald (1917-96), singer; Cy Twombly (1928-2011), artist; Al Pacino (1940- ), actor; Hank Azaria (1964- ), actor; Joe Buck (1969- ), sportscaster; Gina Torres (1969- ), actress; Renée Zellweger (1969- ), actress; Jason Lee (1970- ), actor; Tim Duncan (1976- ), basketball player; Alex Shibutani (1991- ), Olympic ice dancer

In 1950, Chuck Cooper became the first black player drafted into the NBA when he was signed by the Boston Celtics.

The 'R.' in 'Edward R. Murrow' stood for 'Roscoe.'

"A few honest men are better than numbers." – Oliver Cromwell