Dateline

Photographs courtesy of AP/Bangkok Post

November 8

In 1966, actor Ronald Reagan is elected governor of California. The moderate Republican had the nickname �Dutch� and went on to become US president. Some 37 years later, actor and moderate Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger is also elected governor of California. His name in the movie Predator? Dutch. Draw your own conclusions.

Until January 2005, Asia Books is holding its Very Gifted: Thousands of Ways to Give book festival. For more information, call 02 715 9000.

November 9

Thong fanatic Sisqo celebrates his 26th birthday today. Also celebrating is Nick Lachey (1973). Wonder if the party is featured in his MTV reality series Newlyweds.

In 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte declares himself ruler of France.

November 10

M-Max and Channel [V] Thailand present Slipknot Live in Bangkok at 8 pm at Aktiv Square, Muang Thong Thani. Tickets are 800 and 1,000 baht at Thai Ticketmaster. Call 02 262 3456.

In 1969, Sesame Street premieres. Parents the world over breathe a sigh of relief as they can now leave their kids watching TV safe in the knowledge that weird puppets are teaching them right from wrong.

November 11

In 1987, artist Vincent Van Gogh�s �Irises� is sold for a record $53.9 million in New York. That�s 2 billion baht for a painting that looks like a 10-year-old did it. Go figure.

In 1918, World War I ends. Many countries vow never to allow war on such a grand scale to happen again. Guess they were wrong about that one.

November 12

In 1933, the first photograph of what is claimed to be a Loch Ness Monster is taken in Scotland. The photo later turns out to be a fake, like all the others.

In 1993, Michael Jackson cancels his world tour because of a dependence on painkillers.

November 13

In 1953, a teacher in Indiana calls for the removal of Robin Hood from textbooks because she believes its take-from-the-rich-and-give-to-the-poor theme is communist.

Actress Whoopi Goldberg turns 49.

November 14

In 1889, inspired by Jules Verne�s Around the World in Eighty Days, New York reporter Nellie Bly sets out to travel around the world. She manages to complete her trip in only 72 days, 6 hours and 11 minutes. Not that anyone�s counting or anything.

In 1991, after 13 years in exile, Cambodian Prince Norodom Sihanouk returns to his homeland to take the throne.