Shimla, Dec. 4 Keekli Bureau
2000
Surinamese politician Henck Arron, who helped Suriname gain its independence (1975) from the Netherlands and served as prime minister (1973–80) until being overthrown by the military, died at age 64.
1996
The unmanned space vehicle Mars Pathfinder was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, in order to explore the surface of Mars.
1980
Several months after the death of drummer John Bonham, the British rock band Led Zeppelin announced that it was officially disbanding; the group later re-formed for short one-off performances on several occasions.
1970
American rapper and entrepreneur Jay-Z, one of the most influential figures in hip-hop in the 1990s and early 2000s, was born.
1949
Jeff Bridges—an American actor known for his laid-back personality and his versatility—was born.
1918
U.S. President Woodrow Wilson departed for France to attend the Paris Peace Conference, where, following the cessation of hostilities in World War I, the League of Nations was established and the Treaty of Versailles was drafted.
1909
The Grey Cup was first awarded, as the Toronto Varsity Blues defeated the Toronto Parkdale team in Canada’s amateur gridiron football championship game.
1892
General Francisco Franco, who led the Nationalist forces that overthrew the democratic Second Republic in the Spanish Civil War (1936–39) and subsequently was dictator of Spain until his death, was born.
1679
English philosopher and political theorist Thomas Hobbes, who was perhaps best known for his political philosophy, died at age 91.
1154
Adrian IV was elected pope, becoming the only Englishman to occupy the papal throne.
1093
St. Anselm of Canterbury was consecrated as archbishop.
