THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2009

Today is Thursday, November 5, the 309th day of 2009. There are 56 days left in the year.

1414 _ Council of Constance (16th ecumenical council) opens

1492 _ Christopher Columbus learns of maize (corn) from the Indians of Cuba

1605 _ Gunpowder Plot; Catholics try to blow up English Parliament. Plot uncovered and leader Guy Fawkes hanged

1875 _ Susan B. Anthony arrested for attempting to vote

1895 _ First U.S. patent granted for auto (George B. Selden)

1940 _ President FDR (D) wins unprecedented third term beating Wendell Willkie (R)

1946 _ John F Kennedy (D-MA) elected to House of Representatives

1956 _ Britain and France land forces in Egypt

1987 _ Iceberg twice the size of Rhode Island sighted in Antarctic

1987 _ Supreme Court nominee Douglas H. Ginsburg admitted using marijuana