Ken P's Today in History
November 4

Copyright © 2006-2024 Ken Polsson
internet e-mail: ken@kpolsson.com
URL: http://kpolsson.com/today/
(this URL will automatically re-direct to the file containing a single day's events)

What happened in history on this day: November 4?

Since 1995, I have been collecting information on a variety of topics, creating several timelines of history. Here you will find specific events from those databases for this day, on the topics of personal computers, video games, the Walt Disney Company, Chevrolet Corvettes, A&W Root Beer, Sweden, and Canadian coins.

On November 4 in ...

Personal computer history:

  • 1982 - Compaq Computer introduces the Compaq Portable PC, compatible with the IBM PC. It features 4.77 MHz 8088, 128 kB RAM, 9-inch monochrome monitor, one 320 kB 5.25-inch disk drive. Price is US$2995; weight is 28 pounds. It cost Compaq US$1 million to create an IBM-compatible ROM BIOS that did not violate IBM's copyright. The computer is expected to be availble in early 1983.
  • 1995 - Thailand issues a 6-baht postage stamp for the World Agricultural and Industrial Exhibition, depicting a personal computer.
  • 1996 - Corel ships the CorelDraw 7 software for Windows. Price is US$695; upgrade price is US$249.
  • 1997 - Apple Computer announces a deal with CompUSA for a "store within a store" for Apple products in all 148 retail locations.
  • 2003 - Novell announces plans to acquire SuSE Linux for US$210 million.

Walt Disney Company history:

  • 1938 - The Donald Duck film Donald's Golf Game is released to theaters. Huey, Dewey, and Louie also appear.
  • 1949 - The Pluto film Sheep Dog is released.
  • 1962 - The NBC TV network airs the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color show, featuring Sammy the Way-Out Seal, part two.
  • 1983 - The Disney Channel debuts the series Five Mile Creek.
  • 1985 - Antigua & Barbuda issues six postage stamps depicting various Disney characters in Mark Twain's Roughing It.
  • 1985 - Grenada issues six postage stamps featuring Disney character versions of the Brothers Grimm story The Fisherman and His Wife.
  • 1986 - Antigua & Barbuda issues ten postage stamps depicting various Disney characters.
  • 1986 - The Gambia issues six postage stamps depicting various Disney characters mailing letters in various countries.
  • 1986 - Lesotho issues five postage stamps depicting various Disney characters.
  • 1988 - Buena Vista Pictures releases the Touchstone Pictures live-action feature film The Good Mother to theaters in the US. The film is based on the book by Sue Miller.
  • 1990 - The Disney Channel first airs The American Teacher Awards. Teacher of the Year: Sylvia Anne Washburn.
  • 1993 - The Walt Disney Company sets aside US$350 million to fund short term Euro Disney losses until a debt restructuring deal with the banks can be worked out.
  • 1994 - The first Walt Disney Gallery opens in the Disney Store at the Main Place Santa Ana mall in California.
  • 1997 - Touchstone Pictures Home Video releases the film Romy and Michele's High School Reunion on videocassette.
  • 1999 - Disney Interactive, ESPN, and Konami announce a deal for production of a line of ESPN sports games for video game systems and personal computers. Ten games are planned for 2000.
  • 2001 - Disney releases the film Recess Christmas: Miracle on Third Street on VHS and DVD.
  • 2002 - The ABC Soap Opera Bistro restaurant in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot in Disney's California Adventure closes.
  • 2003 - ABC resumes airing the TV show Eight Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter after the death of main star John Ritter on September 11.
  • 2003 - Touchstone releases the film Finding Nemo on DVD for US$29.99 in the US. A first-day sales record is set: 8 million copies.
  • 2005 - Disney releases the computer-animated feature film Chicken Little to theaters in the USA and Canada. 84 theaters in the USA show a special Disney Digital 3-D version, requiring viewers to use special stereoscopic glasses.

World War II history:

  • 1939 - In the United States, Congress amends the 1937 Neutrality Act, allowing belligerent nations to buy American arms for cash if they provide the transport.
  • 1941 - British Prime Minister Winston Churchill offers to send to Russia General Archibald Wavell, Commander-in-chief India, and General Paget.
  • 1942 - In North Africa, Erwin Rommel orders his army to retreat.
  • 1943 - Commander of US Navy forces in Southwest Pacific Admiral William Halsey sends an order to Task Force 38 (carriers Saratoga and Princeton) of Rear Admiral Frederick Sherman to proceed from Remell Island as soon as possible to launch an attack on shipping in Rabaul.
  • 1944 - A rubberized silk balloon is recovered from the Pacific Ocean near the California coast.
  • 1944 - British Bomber Command makes an air raid on Solingen, Germany. Four bombers are shot down.
  • 1944 - Soviet lead tanks reach the outskirts of Budapest, Hungary.
  • 1944 - (evening) 749 British bombers attack Bochum, Germany.
  • 1944 - (evening) 174 British aircraft attack the Dortmund-Ems Canal, breaching it.

Video game history:

  • 1998 - Sony CEA releases the Crash Bandicoot: Warped video game for the PlayStation in the US. Price is US$49.
  • 1999 - Disney Interactive, ESPN, and Konami announce a deal for production of a line of ESPN sports games for video game systems.
  • 2003 - Sony CEA releases the SOCOM II: U.S. Navy SEALs video game for the PlayStation 2 in the US.
  • 2003 - Sony releases the Eye Toy camera for the PlayStation 2 in the US.
  • 2008 - Sony Computer Entertainment releases the Resistance 2 video game for the PlayStation 3 in the USA.
  • 2008 - Activision releases the Call of Duty: World at War video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the USA.
  • 2008 - Sega releases the Valkyria Chronicles for the PlayStation 3 in the USA.
  • 2010 - Microsoft releases the Kinect motion-sensing system for the Xbox 360 in the US. Price is $150, including Kinect sensor, Kinect Adventures video game, and cables. A bundle of a 4-GB Xbox 360 with Kinect is priced at $299.99.
  • 2010 - Harmonix releases the Dance Central video game for the Xbox 360 in the US.
  • 2010 - Sega releases the Sonic Free Riders video game for the Xbox 360 in the US.
  • 2016 - Nintendo releases the Mario Party Star Rush video game for the Nintendo 3DS in the USA.

Swedish history:

  • 1520 - In Stockholm Cathedral, Gustav Trolle crowns Kristian as King of Sweden.
  • 1632 - King Gustav Adolf learns that Pappenheim with 8000 left Wallenstein, and then Wallenstein with about 20,000 began a slow withdrawal from Weissenfels toward Lützen. The King decides to attack now.
  • 1814 - The Norwegian storting approves the treaty with Sweden. Norway retains the constitution of Eidsvold, modified to recognize the king of Sweden as the king of Norway.

USA coin history:

  • 1874 - The second San Francisco Mint opens.
  • 2013 - The US Mint releases the 2013 America the Beautiful - Mount Rushmore National Monument quarter dollar coin to circulation.

Sports history:

  • 1889 - Players League begins, declaring independence from baseball's National League.
  • 1904 - First stadium built specifically for football (Harvard Stadium).
  • 1924 - California legalizes professional boxing (illegal since 1914).
  • 1934 - Pittsburgh Pirates end Detroit Lions' shutout streak at 7 games but loses 40-7.
  • 1939 - 1940 Olympics awarded to Helsinki, Finland.
  • 1951 - New York Giants and New York Yankees score back-to-back touchdowns on kickoff returns.
  • 1954 - Philadelphia Athletics baseball team moves to Kansas City.
  • 1959 - Ernie Banks, Chicago Cubs' shortstop, wins National League Most Valuable Player.
  • 1972 - Los Angeles Kings score three goals within 45 seconds against New York Islanders.
  • 1973 - New Orleans Saints' first shutout victory, 13-0 versus Buffalo Bills.
  • 1980 - Japan's all-time home run hitter, Sadaharu Oh, retires from professional baseball. The Tokyo Yomiuri Giants' first baseman hit a record 868 home runs in his 22-year playing career.
  • 1983 - Washington Capitals' first NHL overtime victory beating Vancouver Canucks 5-4.
  • 1987 - NBA announces four new franchises; Charlotte and Miami for 1988 and Minneapolis and Orlando for 1989.
  • 1989 - Orlando Magic's first NBA game, loses to Nets, 111-106.
  • 2001 - The Arizona Diamondbacks beat the three-time defending World Series Champions New York Yankees in seven games to win their first ever baseball World Series Championship.
  • 2009 - The New York Yankees beat the Philadelphia Phillies 7-3 to win Major League Baseball's World Series, the Yankees' 27th title with a 4-2 series victory over the defending champions.
  • 2021 - At SAP Center in San Jose, California, USA, NHL regular season game: Saint Louis Blues beats San Jose Sharks by score 5-3.
  • 2021 - At Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington, USA, NHL regular season game: Seattle Kraken beats Buffalo Sabres by score 5-2.
  • 2021 - At Scotiabank Saddledrome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, NHL regular season game: Dallas Stars beats Calgary Flames by score 4-3.
  • 2021 - At PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, NHL regular season game: Pittsburgh Penguins beats Philadelphia Flyers by score 3-2.
  • 2021 - At FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Florida, USA, NHL regular season game: Florida Panthers beats Washington Capitals by score 5-4.
  • 2021 - At Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, NHL regular season game: Vegas Golden Knights beats Ottawa Senators by score 5-1.
  • 2021 - At Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, NHL regular season game: New York Islanders beats Montreal Canadiens by score 6-2.
  • 2021 - At Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, NHL regular season game: Toronto Maple Leafs beats Tampa Bay Lightning by score 2-1.
  • 2021 - At TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, NHL regular season game: Boston Bruins beats Detroit Red Wings by score 5-1.

Extreme weather history:

  • 1966 - Flooding of Arno River (Italy) destroys countless art works.
  • 1989 - Typhoon Gay devastates the Thai province of Chumphon.
  • 2001 - Hurricane Michelle hits Cuba, destroying crops and thousands of homes.

USA history:

  • 1845 - First nationally-observed uniform election day in US.
  • 1860 - Abraham Lincoln (Republican-Illinois-Representative) is elected 16th president of the USA.
  • 1861 - University of Washington is founded in Seattle, Washington, USA.
  • 1862 - Gatling gun is patented (to Richard J Gatling).
  • 1873 - Dentist John Beers of San Francisco patents the gold crown.
  • 1875 - Pacific collides with Orpheus off Cape Flattery, Washington, USA; 236 dies.
  • 1879 - James and John Ritty patent first cash register, to combat stealing by bartenders in their Dayton, Ohio saloon.
  • 1884 - Grover Cleveland (Democrat) beats James G Blaine (Republican) for President of the US.
  • 1924 - California legalizes professional boxing (illegal since 1914).
  • 1924 - Nellie Tayloe Ross elected governor of Wyoming.
  • 1928 - Arnold Rothstein is shot and killed in the Park Central Hotel in New York City, owing US$333,000 on a poker game.
  • 1939 - First air-conditioned automobile (Packard) exhibited, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
  • 1939 - In the United States, Congress amends the 1937 Neutrality Act, allowing belligerent nations to buy American arms for cash if they provide the transport.
  • 1952 - A 9.0-magnitude earthquake strikes Kamchatka off the east coast of Russia, causing 30-foot waves in Hawaii.
  • 1952 - Dwight Eisenhower (Republican) elected 34th US President beating Adlai Stevenson (Democrat).
  • 1977 - The US Senate confirms Stella B. Hackel as 29th US Mint director.
  • 1978 - In the USA, Florida voters reject by 73 percent to 27 a proposal to legalize casinos along the state's Gold Coast.
  • 1979 - 3000 militant Iranian students, outraged that the U.S. government had allowed the ousted Shah of Iran to travel to New York City for medical treatment, seize the U.S. embassy in Teheran, taking 90 hostages (53 Americans). They demand that the United States send the former Shah of Iran back to stand trial.
  • 1980 - U.S. presidential election: Republican challenger and former California Governor Ronald Reagan defeats incumbent Democratic President Jimmy Carter in a landslide victory.
  • 1982 - Compaq Computer introduces the Compaq Portable PC, compatible with the IBM PC, though not violating the IBM BIOS copyright.
  • 1984 - PC's Limited computer company founded (later renamed Dell Computer).
  • 1986 - Democrats regain control of the United States Senate for the first time in six years.
  • 1986 - In California, Chief Justice Rose Bird and two colleagues are removed by voters from the Supreme Court of California for opposing capital punishment.
  • 1990 - Secretary of State James Baker visits US troops in Saudi Arabia.
  • 1994 - In San Francisco, California, the first conference devoted entirely to the subject of the commercial potential of the World Wide Web opens. Featured speakers include Marc Andreessen of Netscape, Mark Graham of Pandora Systems, and Ken McCarthy of E-Media.
  • 2005 - The U.S. and Uruguay governments sign a Bilateral Investment Treaty.
  • 2008 - In general elections in the USA, Democratic Party nominee Senator Barack Obama is elected first half-black president, with running mate Joe Biden as Vice President. The electoral college presidential vote is 364 to 174, with popular vote 52 to 46 percent. The Democratic party increases their number in Congress by about 20 seats, and in the Senate control 60 of 100 seats. This was the longest election in US history, and most expensive.
  • 2008 - California votes to approve a constitutional ban on gay marriage.
  • 2008 - Arkansas votes 63 percent in favor of a state lottery.
  • 2019 - The United States formally begins process to pull out of the Paris Agreement on climate change.
  • 2019 - Nine Americans are killed when Mexican gang members open fire on their vehicles while driving to a wedding about 110 kilometres (70 mi) south of the Mexico-United States border.
  • 2020 - The United States formally exits the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Other history:

  • 1862 - Gatling gun patented (Richard J Gatling).
  • 1879 - James and John Ritty patent first cash register, to combat stealing by bartenders in their Dayton, Ohio saloon.
  • 1922 - Howard Carter discovers tomb of Tutankhamen in Egypt.
  • 1939 - First air conditioned automobile (Packard) exhibited, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
  • 1979 - 500 Iranian "students" seize US embassy, take 90 hostages (hold for 444 days).
  • 1980 - Ronald Reagan beats US President Jimmy Carter by a landslide.
  • 2008 - In general elections in the USA, Democratic Party nominee Senator Barack Obama is elected president, with running mate Joe Biden as Vice President.

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Copyright © 2006-2024 Ken Polsson (email: ken@kpolsson.com).
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