This day in history

In1520 Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan reached the Pacific Ocean after passing through the South American strait that now bears his name. In1919 American-born Lady Nancy Astor was elected the first female member of the British Parliament. In1925 the Grand Ole Opry, Nashville’s famed home of country music, made its radio debut on station WSM. In1958 the African nation Chad became an autonomous republic within the French community. In1964 the United States launched the space probe Mariner IV on a course to Mars.

Happy birthday

Musician Paul Shaffer is 63.

Ed Harris is 62. Actress S. Epatha Merkerson is 60. Actor Judd Nelson is 53. Comedian Jon Stewart is 50.