November 2nd

V. Gene Robinson was consecrated as bishop by the U.S. Episcopal Church, becoming the first openly gay bishop in the church.

Velma Margie Barfield, a convicted murderer became the first woman to be executed since capital punishment was reinstated in 1976.

Ronald Reagan signs a bill to create Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The day, observed every year on the third Monday of January, commemorates the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. a leader of the African-American Civil Rights Movement.

Jimmy Carter defeated Gerald Ford, becoming the first U.S. president from the deep South since the Civil War.

The Cuban Adjustment Act comes into force, allowing 123,000 Cubans opportunity to apply for permanent residence in the US.

Coup in Saudi Arabia. Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud takes over the government of Saudi Arabia while his half-brother, King Saud is overseas for medical reasons.

Mary Leakey and her team discover 1st fossils of Homo habilis, an early human ancestor, at Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania. Homo habilis one of the earliest species to make stone tools, lived between 1.4 and 2.3 million years ago.

Twenty-One game show contestant Charles Van Doren admitted that he had been given questions and answers in advance.

Harry S. Truman defeated Thomas E. Dewey to the surprise of pollsters and newspapers, in the greatest presidential upset in history.

Howard Hughes flew the Spruce Goose on its first and only flight.

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation established. Officially known as CBC/Radio-Canada, the network is Canada's public radio and television broadcaster.

Coronation of Ras Tafari Makonnen as Haile Selassie I, 225th Emperor of Ethopian Solmonic Dynasty.

Balfour Declaration proclaims support for a Jewish state in Palestine.

North Dakota and South Dakota became the 39th and 40th states, respectively.

Verney Cameroon reaches Benguela in Angola, from Africa's east coast, 1st European to cross equatorial Africa.