The Ten Commandments, the film directed by Cecil B. DeMille—his second film telling the story of Moses, the Exodus, and how Moses received the commandments—opened in theaters 60 years ago today. It was DeMille’s last film of his career and his biggest: it cost more to make than any other film up to that point, and when one accounts for inflation, it remains one of the top 10 highest grossing films of all time.

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Alonzo T. Cross received a patent (No. 232,804) for the final design of his stylographic pen on this date in 1880. It employed a spring to prevent ink inside the chamber from leaving the pen until the nib is pressed against a surface.

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Monty Python’s Flying Circus debuted on the BBC on this date in 1969.

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Justice Louis Brandeis died 75 years ago today. Senator Mike Mansfield died 15 years ago today. Rodney Dangerfield died on this date in 2004. Steve Jobs died five years ago today.

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Robert H. Goddard was born on this date in 1882. Brian O’Nolan (also known as Flann O’Brien and also known as Myles na gCopaleen) was born on this date in 1911. Bernie Mac was born on this date in 1957.

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Bill Dana is 92 today. In 2007, he was interviewed by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences:

 
Steve Miller is 73. Bill James is 67. Karen Allenis 65 today. Bob Geldof is 65 today. Mario Lemieux is 51. Patrick Roy is 51. Kate Winslet is 41 today.

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