Today in History

Today is Wednesday, Nov. 11, the 315th day of 2015. There are 50 days left in the year. This is Veterans Day in the U.S., Remembrance Day in Canada.

Today's Highlight in History:

On Nov. 11, 1918, fighting in World War I came to an end with the signing of an armistice between the Allies and Germany.

On this date:

In 1620, 41 Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower, anchored off Massachusetts, signed a compact calling for a "body politick."

In 1778, British redcoats, Tory rangers and Seneca Indians in central New York killed more than 40 people in the Cherry Valley Massacre.

In 1831, former slave Nat Turner, who'd led a violent insurrection, was executed in Jerusalem, Virginia.

In 1889, Washington became the 42nd state.

In 1921, the remains of an unidentified American service member were interred in a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in a ceremony presided over by President Warren G. Harding.

In 1938, Irish-born cook Mary Mallon, who'd gained notoriety as the disease-carrying "Typhoid Mary" blamed for the deaths of three people, died on North Brother Island in New York's East River at age 69 after 23 years of mandatory quarantine.

In 1942, during World War II, Germany completed its occupation of France.

In 1965, Rhodesia proclaimed its independence from Britain.

In 1966, Gemini 12 blasted off from Cape Kennedy with astronauts James A. Lovell and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin Jr. aboard.

In 1972, the U.S. Army turned over its base at Long Binh to the South Vietnamese, symbolizing the end of direct U.S. military involvement in the Vietnam War.

In 1984, Rev. Martin Luther King Sr. -- father of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. -- died in Atlanta at age 84.

In 1990, Stormie Jones, the world's first heart-liver transplant recipient, died at a Pittsburgh hospital at age 13.

Ten years ago: President George W. Bush strongly rebuked congressional critics of his Iraq war policy, accusing them of being "deeply irresponsible." Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, on a surprise visit to Iraq, pressed for unity among the country's religious factions. Syrian-born Hollywood film producer Moustapha Akkad died from wounds sustained in the bombing of a Jordanian hotel two days earlier; he was 75. Modern management guru Peter F. Drucker died in Claremont, California, at age 95.

Five years ago: A disabled Carnival Splendor cruise liner inched into San Diego Bay after three nightmarish days adrift on the Pacific, bringing cheers from passengers who described trying to pass the time with limited food, backed-up toilets and dark cabins. A dispute between the U.S. and China over currency values overshadowed a meeting of Group of 20 nations in Seoul, South Korea. Marie Osborne Yeats, a silent film child star who was known as Baby Marie Osborne, died in San Clemente, California, six days after turning 99.

One year ago: Leaders of Asia-Pacific economies meeting in China agreed to begin work toward possible adoption of a Chinese-backed free-trade pact, giving Beijing a victory in its push for a bigger role in managing global commerce. John Doar, 92, who had served a top U.S. Justice Department civil rights lawyer, died in New York. Henry "Big Bank Hank" Jackson, 57, a member of the pioneering hip-hop group The Sugarhill Gang, died in Englewood, New Jersey. Carol Ann Susi, 62, a character actress best known as the unseen Mrs. Wolowitz on "The Big Bang Theory," died in Los Angeles.

Today's Birthdays: Jazz singer-musician Mose Allison is 88. Actress Bibi Andersson is 80. Country singer Narvel Felts is 77. Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., is 75. Americana roots singer/songwriter Chris Smither is 71. Rock singer-musician Vince Martell (Vanilla Fudge) is 70. The president of Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega, is 70. Rock singer Jim Peterik (Ides of March, Survivor) is 65. Golfer Fuzzy Zoeller is 64. Pop singer-musician Paul Cowsill (The Cowsills) is 64. Rock singer-musician Andy Partridge (XTC) is 62. Singer Marshall Crenshaw is 62. Rock singer Dave Alvin is 60. Rock musician Ian Craig Marsh (Human League; Heaven 17) is 59. Actor Stanley Tucci is 55. Actress Demi Moore is 53. Actress Calista Flockhart is 51. Actor Philip McKeon is 51. Rock musician Scott Mercado is 51. Actor Frank John Hughes is 48. TV personality Carson Kressley is 46. Actor David DeLuise is 44. Actor Adam Beach is 43. Actor Tyler Christopher (TV: "General Hospital") is 43. Actor Leonardo DiCaprio is 41. Actor Scoot McNairy is 38. Rock musician Jonathan Pretus (Cowboy Mouth) is 34. NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez is 29. Actress Christa B. Allen is 24. Actor Tye Sheridan is 19. Actor Ian Patrick (TV: "The Neighbors") is 13.

Thought for Today: "I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity." -- President Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969).

Copyright 2015, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.