November 16

1849 For engaging in socialist activities, Fyodor Dostoevsky receives the death sentence, later commuted to four years’ hard labor in Siberia.

1907 Oklahoma becomes the 46th state of the union.

1922 José Saramago is born.

1930 Chinua Achebe is born.

1959 "The Sound of Music" opens on Broadway. 1967 Lisa Bonet is born.

1970 Martha Plimpton is born.

1975 spinynorm is born.

1977 Oksana Baiul is born.

Events:

• 1841 - N.E. Guerin of New York receives a patent for his cork filled life preserver.
• 1864 - Sherman begins his march to the sea thru Georgia.
• 1907 - Oklahoma becomes the 46th state.
• 1933 - Roosevelt establishes diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union.
• 1950 - The United Nations gets approval from the U.S. government for issuing postage stamps.
• 1955 - First speed-boat to exceed 200 miles per hour - DM Campbell.
• 1966 - Dr. Sam Sheppard freed after 9 years in jail, by a jury.
• 1973 - Skylab 4's astronauts are launched. The final Skylab mission.
• 1982 - Fifth Space Shuttle Mission - Columbia 5 returns to Earth.
• 1984 - Fourteenth Space Shuttle Mission - Discovery 2 returns to Earth.

• 1873 - William Handy, established the popularity of the blues in band music.
• 1895 - Paul Hindemith in Germany, composer
• 1896 - Jim Jordan, radio comic (Fibber McGee of Fibber McGee & Molly)
• 1901 - George Gallop, what's your opinion?
• 1908 - Burgess Meredith, Actor
• 1942 - Donna McKechnie in Pontiac, Michigan
• 1964 - Dwight Gooden (baseball: "The Doctor": NY Mets pitcher)
• 1967 - Lisa Bonet in San Francisco, California