Today in History

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Friday, November 20, 2009
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1947: Princess Elizabeth marries

Princess Elizabeth, the future queen of Great Britain, married Philip Mountbatten today in Westminster Abbey. Hours prior to the wedding, King George titled his future son-in-law as Duke of Edinburgh, Baron Greenwich and Earl of Merioneth.

"Elizabeth was grave and solemn through the ceremony, which included the promise 'to obey' at her own request. Like her great-great grandmother, Victoria, she wanted to emphasize that she was marrying as a woman rather than as a member of royalty," reported the Winnipeg Free Press on November 20, 1947.

NOTE: The night before the wedding, thousands of people staked out positions along the route of the royal wedding procession to try to get a glimpse of the wedding party when they traveled from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey. It is estimated that one million people gathered to cheer for the royal family and watch the procession.

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Links to the Past
Links to the Past icon Royal Wedding Thrills Thousands
Winnipeg Free Press, November 20, 1947

Links to the Past icon Continued: Royal Wedding


Links to the Past icon As Future Queen Became Bride...
The Lowell Sun, November 20, 1947

Links to the Past icon Picture book Prettiness Wins...
Long Beach Press Telegram, November 20, 1947

Links to the Past icon Princess Says She Will Obey
The Austin Statesman, November 20, 1947

Newspaper Articles - Click for Full Page
Winnipeg Free Press
November 20, 1947



In the Headlines

Olympic Dopes


On Tuesday, the International Olympic Committee took action against five atheletes who tested positive for doping on samples submitted for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Though the atheletes originally tested negative, a fully validated test has become available since the Olympics and the atheletes were retested. Among those disqualified was Rashid Ramzi, the first Bahraini to ever win an Olympic medal.

A Historical Perspective

Doping was first banned from the Olympic Games in 1967, as rumors of performance-enhancing drug use circulated. There have been many atheletes disqualified over the years, but a more interesting doping-related event took place at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin when officials raided the Austrian biathalon living quarters. "the raid Saturday night was the boldest and most coordinated show of force against athletes suspected of cheating at an Olympics and represented the first time that Olympic doping control officers had been accompanied by the police," reported The Post-Standard on February 21, 2006. "Austrian Olympic officials said they had fired the coach at the center of the controversy, Walter Mayer, after he crashed his car into a police barrier in Southern Austria and was detained." Unexpectedly, the ten atheletes detained all tested negative for any performance-enhancing drugs.

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Links to the Past
Links to the Past icon Olympic Dopes
The Post-Standard, February 21, 2006

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The Post-Standard
February 21, 2006



Today In History
 

1992: Fire damages part of Windsor Castle

More than 225 firefighters and 35 fire engines responded to a fire today at Windsor Castle, the weekend home of the queen. "Queen Elizabeth II spent the afternoon of her 45th wedding anniversary surveying the damage and helping to evacuate treasures from the castle 20 miles west of London, a royal residence for 900 years and the oldest still in use," reported The Post Standard on November 21, 1992. NOTE: While royals and commoners alike worked to save art, books, furniture and other items of value, newspapers reported that the damage from the fire, water and smoke was still extensive.

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Links to the Past
Links to the Past icon Fire in Windsor Castle Destroys Art Treasures
Daily Sitka Sentinel, November 20, 1992

Links to the Past icon Windsor Fire 'a Pretty Nasty Mess'
The Post Standard, November 21, 1992

Links to the Past icon Fire sweeps Windsor Castle
Daily Herald, November 21, 1992

 
 

1975: Spain's dictator dies

"Spain today began 30 days of national mourning for Generalissimo Francisco Franco, Western Europe's last surviving dictator, who died early today after a month-long battle for life," informed The Sun on November 20, 1975. NOTE: Following Franco's death, Prince Juan Carlos would to be installed as Spain's first king in 44 years.

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Links to the Past
Links to the Past icon Spain begins mourning General Franco
The Sun, November 20, 1975

Links to the Past icon General Franco Guided Spain With Iron Hand
Star News, November 20, 1975

Links to the Past icon Gen. Franco dies after month’s illness
The Post-Register, November 20, 1975

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The Post-Register
November 20, 1975

 

1962: Kennedy ends blockade of Cuba

"President Kennedy, saying there is reason for gratitude in this Thanksgiving week, has called off the U.S. blockade of Cuba in return for promised removal of Soviet bombers from the island," The Lowell Sun reported on November 21, 1962. NOTE: In his first press conference in nearly 10 weeks, Kennedy emphasized that serious problems remain in the Cuban crisis, but that real progress has been made.

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Links to the Past
Links to the Past icon Pres. Kennedy Calls Off Blockade Of Cuba
The Lowell Sun, November 21, 1962

Links to the Past icon Cuban Blockade Removed
Daily Times News, November 21, 1962

Links to the Past icon JFK Orders Blockade Lift on…
Western Kansas Press, November 21, 1962

 
 

1925: Queen Alexandra dies

Queen Mother Alexandra, a former Danish princess and widow of King Edward VII, died today in England with her son, King George V, nearby. She would have been 81 on December 1. "Alexandra's skill in domestic affairs and her thrifty spirit endeared her to Queen Victoria and enabled her to win the affection of English women of all classes," reported The Fresno Bee on November 20, 1925.

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Links to the Past
Links to the Past icon British Dowager Queen Succumbs To Heart Attack
The Fresno Bee, November 20, 1925

Links to the Past icon Alexandra, Dowager Queen, Dies
Oakland Tribune, November 20, 1925

Links to the Past icon Queen Alexandra Dies Today
Daily Globe, November 20, 1925

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Daily Globe
November 20, 1925