Today in History highlights:

In 1919, US born Lady Astor was elected the first female member of the British Parliament.

In 1942, Fire destroyed the Cocoanut Grove nightclub in Boston, killing nearly 500 people.

In 1990, Margaret Thatcher resigned as British prime minister during an audience with Queen Elizabeth II, who conferred the premiership on John Major.

In 2001, Enron Corporation collapsed after would-be rescuer Dynegy Incorporated backed out of an $8.4 billion deal to take it over.

Celebrity birthdays:

Ed Harris – actor, 58

Judd Nelson – actor, 49

Jon Stewart – comedian, 46

Aimee Garcia – actress, 30