November 4

Today in History
• 1333 - Flood of the Arno River, causing massive damage in Florence
• 1429 - Joan of Arc liberates the heavily fortified town of Saint-Pierre-le-Moûtier
• 1646 - Massachusetts uses death penalty for denying that Holy Bible is God's word
• 1841 - First wagon train arrives in California after a 1,730 mile journey
• 1845 - 1st nationally observed uniform election day in US
• 1846 - Benjamin Palmer patents artificial leg
• 1856 - James Buchanan elected 15th US president
• 1862 - Richard Gatling patents Gatling gun


Holidays - Traditional and Obscure
• Flag Day in Panama
• Fountain Pen Day
• National Candy Day
• National Day of Community Service
• National Jersey Friday
• Roast Dinner Day
• Russia's Day of Unity
• Use Your Common Sense Day

Birthdays
• 1448 - Alphonso II, King of Naples (1494-95)
• 1661 - Charles III Philip, Elector Palatine (1716-42)
• 1790 - Carlos Antonio López, 1st President of Paraguay (1844-62)
• 1816 - Stephen Johnson Field, Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court
• 1867 - Tomasz Arciszewski, 31st Prime Minister of Poland
• 1884 - Henry George "Harry" Ferguson, aviator, engineer and inventor (Modern tractor)
• 1896 - Carlos P. Garcia, 8th President of the Philippines (1957-61)
• 1916 - Ruth Handler American toy manufacturer (invented the Barbie doll)