Today in History

Today is Tuesday, Nov. 4, the 308th day of 2014. There are 57 days left in the year. This is Election Day.

Today's Highlight in History:

On Nov. 4, 1924, President Calvin Coolidge, who'd succeeded the late President Warren G. Harding, was elected to a full term of office; Nellie T. Ross of Wyoming was elected the nation's first female governor to serve out the remaining term of her late husband, William B. Ross.

On this date:

In 1862, inventor Richard J. Gatling received a U.S. patent for his rapid-fire Gatling gun.

In 1884, Democrat Grover Cleveland was elected to his first term as president, defeating Republican James G. Blaine.

In 1922, the entrance to King Tutankhamen's tomb was discovered in Egypt.

In 1939, the United States modified its neutrality stance in World War II, allowing "cash and carry" purchases of arms by belligerents, a policy favoring Britain and France.

In 1942, during World War II, Axis forces retreated from El Alamein in North Africa in a major victory for British forces commanded by Lt. Gen. Bernard Montgomery.

In 1952, Republican Dwight D. Eisenhower was elected president, defeating Democrat Adlai Stevenson. The highly secretive National Security Agency came into existence.

In 1964, comedian Lenny Bruce was convicted by a three-judge panel in New York of obscenity charges stemming from his performances at the Cafe Au Go Go in Greenwich Village. (The club's owner, Howard Solomon, was also found guilty, but had his conviction overturned; Bruce died before his appeal was decided, but he received a pardon in 2003 from New York Gov. George Pataki.)

In 1979, the Iran hostage crisis began as militants stormed the United States Embassy in Tehran, seizing its occupants; for some, it was the start of 444 days of captivity.

In 1980, Republican Ronald Reagan won the White House as he defeated President Jimmy Carter by a strong margin.

In 1991, Ronald Reagan opened his presidential library in Simi Valley, California; in attendance were President George H.W. Bush and former Presidents Jimmy Carter, Gerald R. Ford and Richard Nixon the first-ever gathering of five past and present U.S. chief executives.

In 1995, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated by a right-wing Israeli minutes after attending a festive peace rally.

In 2008, Democrat Barack Obama was elected the first black president of the United States, defeating Republican John McCain.

Ten years ago: Following his re-election victory, President George W. Bush pledged to aggressively pursue major changes in Social Security, the tax code and medical malpractice awards. It was revealed that Elizabeth Edwards, wife of former Democratic vice-presidential candidate John Edwards, had been diagnosed with breast cancer the same day her husband and Sen. John Kerry conceded the 2004 presidential race. (Mrs. Edwards died of the disease in Dec. 2010 at age 61.)

Five years ago: An Italian judge convicted 23 Americans in absentia along with two Italians in the kidnapping of an Egyptian terror suspect, delivering the first legal convictions anywhere in the world against people involved in the CIA's extraordinary renditions program. The New York Yankees won the World Series, beating the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies 7-3 in Game 6 behind Hideki Matsui's record-tying six RBIs. Former NBA referee Tim Donaghy was released after serving most of a 15-month sentence in a gambling scandal.

One year ago: Ousted Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi, refusing to wear a prisoner jumpsuit, entered the dock at the start of his trial on murder charges in a dark suit, defiantly questioning the legitimacy of the court and proclaiming himself still Egypt's leader. In Tehran's largest anti-U.S. rally in years, tens of thousands of demonstrators joined in chants of "death to America" as hard-liners directed a major show of resolve against President Hassan Rouhani's outreach to Washington.

Today's Birthdays: Actress Doris Roberts is 84. Actress Loretta Swit is 77. Rhythm-and-blues singer Harry Elston (Friends of Distinction) is 76. Blues singer Delbert McClinton is 74. Former first lady Laura Bush is 68. Actress Markie Post is 64. Rock singer-musician Chris Difford (Squeeze) is 60. Country singer Kim Forester (The Forester Sisters) is 54. Actress-comedian Kathy Griffin is 54. Actor Ralph Macchio is 53. "Survivor" host Jeff Probst is 53. Rock singer-musician Wayne Static (Static-X) is 49. Actor Matthew McConaughey is 45. Rapper-producer Sean "Puffy" Combs is 45. Talk show host Bethenny Frankel is 44. Soul/jazz singer Gregory Porter is 43. Rhythm-and-blues singer Shawn Rivera (Az Yet) is 43. Actress Heather Tom is 39. Rhythm-and-blues/gospel singer George Huff is 34. Actress Gillian Zinser (TV: "90210") is 29.

Thought for Today: "There is no dignity quite so impressive, and no independence quite so important, as living within your means." President Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933).

Copyright 2014, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.