TODAY IN HISTORY

TODAY’S HIGHLIGHT Nov. 4, 1979

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

ALSO ON THIS DATE

1879

Humorist Will Rogers was born in Oologah, Oklahoma.

1922

The entrance to King Tutankhamen’s tomb was discovered in Egypt.

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.

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.

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.

1980

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

1985

To the shock and dismay of U.S. officials, Soviet defector Vitaly Yurchenko announced he was returning to the Soviet Union, charging he had been kidnapped by the CIA.