This day in history — Nov. 18
Today’s highlight in history
On Nov. 18, 1978, U.S. Rep. Leo J. Ryan (D-Calif.) and four others were killed in Jonestown, Guyana, by members of the Peoples Temple; the killings were followed by a night of mass murder and suicide by more than 900 cult members.
On this date
In 1883, the United States and Canada adopted a system of Standard Time zones.
In 1916, the World War I Battle of the Somme pitting British and French forces against German troops ended inconclusively after 4½ months of bloodshed.
In 1928, Walt Disney’s first sound-synchronized animated cartoon, “Steamboat Willie” starring Mickey Mouse, premiered in New York.
In 1966, U.S. Roman Catholic bishops issued a Pastoral Statement on Penance and Abstinence, which did away with the rule against eating meat on Fridays outside of Lent.
In 1976, Spain’s parliament approved a bill to establish a democracy after 37 years of dictatorship.
In 1987, the congressional Iran-Contra committees issued their final report, saying President Ronald Reagan bore “ultimate responsibility” for wrongdoing by his aides.
In 2000, actors Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones were married in an extravagant wedding at The Plaza hotel in New York City.
Ten years ago: A methane blast ripped through a coal mine in eastern Ukraine, killing 101 miners.
Five years ago: In the deadliest single attack in Israel’s offensive against Islamic militants, 12 people were killed when an Israeli missile ripped through a two-story home in a residential area of Gaza City.
One year ago: President-elect Donald Trump signaled a sharp policy shift to the right by picking Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions as attorney general, Kansas Rep. Mike Pompeo to head the CIA and Michael Flynn as his national security adviser. (Flynn resigned soon after.)
Associated Press
QUOTE UNQUOTE
"My advice to you is not to inquire why or whither, but just enjoy your ice cream while it's on your plate — that's my philosophy."
Thornton Wilder,
Writer and Madison native, from his Pulitzer-winning play "The Skin of Our Teeth," which opened on Broadway on this date in 1942