Advertisement
Retro Baltimore

This Day in History: Nov 3

Baltimore Sun

** FILE** A view of Laika, Nov., 1957, the female dog the Russians say is riding in outer space as a passenger aboard Sputnik II. Just a month after the Soviet Union stunned the world by putting the Earth's first artificial satellite into orbit, it boasted a new victory _ a much bigger satellite carrying a mongrel dog called Laika. The mission, 50 years ago Saturday, helped pave the way for human flight. (AP Photo/NASA, file) ORG XMIT: MOSB116 (Associated Press)

In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 2, the second manmade satellite, into orbit; on board was a dog named Laika who was sacrificed in the experiment.

1839: The first Opium War between China and Britain broke out.

Advertisement

1900: The first major U.S. automobile show opened at New York's Madison Square Garden under the auspices of the Automobile Club of America.

1903: Panama proclaimed its independence from Colombia.

Advertisement

1911: The Chevrolet Motor Car Co. was founded in Detroit by Louis Chevrolet and William C. Durant. (The company was acquired by General Motors in 1918.)

1936: President Franklin D. Roosevelt won a landslide election victory over Republican challenger Alfred M. "Alf" Landon.

1954: The Japanese monster movie "Godzilla" was released by Toho Co.

1960: Meredith Willson's musical "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" opened on Broadway with Tammy Grimes in the title role.

Advertisement