On this day in 1991, the First Gulf War began. It all started when Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait in August 1990. The US, and UN, demanded Iraq's withdrawal but it did not happen. My guess is that Hussein did not expect that President Bush would send ground troops and kick him out.
On this day in 1979, the Shah fled the country and traveled to several capitals before entering the United States in October for medical treatment. Iran demanded the return of the shah but the Carter administration refused to negotiate. On November 4th, 1979, militants stormed the U.S. embassy in response to the Shah entering the US. The hostages were held for 444 days. The Shah died in Egypt in July 1980 or in the middle of the hostage crisis.
Two great Yankees were selected to the Hall of Fame on this day in 1974. Mickey Mantle was one of the great power hitters in history: .298 career batting average, 536 HR and 1,509 RBI. He was also a 3-time MVP and played in 12 World Series. He had a career .421 On Base Average. Whitey Ford was one of the best lefthanders in major league history: 236 wins, 156 complete games and a 2.75 career ERA. He played in 11 World Series and won 10 games.
