Today in History

Today is Monday, Nov. 16, the 320th day of 2015. There are 45 days left in the year.

Today's Highlights in History:

On Nov. 15, 1945, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was founded at the conclusion of a conference in London. "The Lost Weekend," starring Ray Milland and Jane Wyman," was released by Paramount Pictures. "The Friendly Ghost," an animated short featuring the debut of Casper, was released by Paramount's cartoon division.

On this date:

In 1776, British troops captured Fort Washington in New York during the American Revolution.

In 1885, Canadian rebel leader Louis Riel was executed for high treason.

In 1907, Oklahoma became the 46th state of the union.

In 1914, the newly created Federal Reserve Banks opened in 12 cities.

In 1917, Georges Clemenceau again became prime minister of France.

In 1933, the United States and the Soviet Union established diplomatic relations.

In 1939, mob boss Al Capone, ill with syphilis, was released from prison after serving 7 1/2 years for tax evasion and failure to file tax returns.

In 1959, the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "The Sound of Music" opened on Broadway.

In 1960, Academy Award-winning actor Clark Gable died in Los Angeles at age 59.

In 1973, Skylab 4, carrying a crew of three astronauts, was launched from Cape Canaveral on an 84-day mission.

In 1989, six Jesuit priests, a housekeeper and her daughter were slain by army troops at the University of Central America Jose Simeon Canas in El Salvador.

In 1993, President Bill Clinton signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, making it harder for government to interfere with religious practices.

Ten years ago: Hoping to reverse the deterioration of pension plans, the Senate voted 97-2 to force companies to make up underfunding and live up to promises made to employees. (The bill, however, has yet to become law.) Vice President Dick Cheney joined the chorus of Republican criticism of Democrats who contended the Bush administration had manipulated intelligence on Iraq, an accusation Cheney called "one of the most dishonest and reprehensible charges ever aired in this city." "This Is Your Life" host Ralph Edwards died in West Hollywood at age 92.

Five years ago: President Barack Obama presented the Medal of Honor to Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta, the first living service member from the Afghanistan and Iraq wars to receive the nation's top military award. U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel was convicted on 11 of 13 charges related to financial misconduct, prompting fellow lawmakers to censure the 80-year-old New York Democrat. The engagement of Prince William and Kate Middleton was announced in London. Hollywood publicist Ronni Chasen, 64, was shot to death in her car on Sunset Boulevard. (Police believe the killer was Harold Martin Smith, who took his own life when confronted by officers.) Roy Halladay of the Philadelphia Phillies unanimously won the NL Cy Young Award.

One year ago: The Islamic State group released a video featuring a masked militant standing over the severed head of Peter Kassig, a former U.S. soldier-turned-aid worker in Syria; President Barack Obama denounced the killing as one of "pure evil." President Obama returned to Washington following the conclusion of the Group of 20 economic forum in Brisbane, Australia. Erica Enders-Stevens won the Auto Club NHRA Finals in Pomona, California, to become the first woman to earn the Pro Stock world championship title.

Today's Birthdays: Actor Clu Gulager is 87. Journalist Elizabeth Drew is 80. Blues musician W.C. Clark is 76. Actress Joanna Pettet is 73. Actor Steve Railsback is 70. Actor David Leisure is 65. Actor Miguel Sandoval is 64. Actress Marg Helgenberger is 57. Rock musician Mani is 53. Country singer-musician Keith Burns (Trick Pony) is 52. Tennis player Zina Garrison is 52. Former MLB All-Star pitcher Dwight Gooden is 51. Jazz singer Diana Krall is 51. Actor Harry Lennix is 51. Rock musician Dave Kushner (Velvet Revolver) is 49. Actress Lisa Bonet is 48. Actress Tammy Lauren is 47. Rhythm-and-blues singer Bryan Abrams (Color Me Badd) is 46. Actress Martha Plimpton is 45. Actor Michael Irby is 43. Actress Missi Pyle is 43. Olympic gold medal figure skater Oksana Baiul is 38. Actress Maggie Gyllenhaal is 38. Pop singer Trevor Penick is 36. NBA player Amare Stoudemire is 33. Actress Kimberly J. Brown is 31. Rock singer Siva Kaneswaran (The Wanted) is 27. Actor Casey Moss (TV: "Days of Our Lives") is 22. Actor Noah Gray-Cabey is 20.

Thought for Today: "An American who can make money, invoke God, and be no better than his neighbor, has nothing to fear but truth itself." -- Marya Mannes, American critic (1904-1990).

Copyright 2015, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.