25 Years Ago

 It's November 1980. Ronald Reagan defeats President Jimmy Carter in the Presidential Election. Carter concedes the election shortly before 10:00 pm EST - before the polls close on the West Coast. Reagan, who is 69, is the oldest man ever elected President.

 Actor Victor Sen Yung, 65, best known for his portrayal of Hop Sing in Bonanza, dies in his apartment, victim of a gas leak.

 Sugar Ray Leonard regains the welterweight title by defeating Robert Duran.

 Actor Steve McQueen, 50, dies of lung cancer.

 The British are buzzing with speculation that Prince Charles will announce his engagement to Lady Diana Spencer on his 32nd birthday. However, the day comes and goes with no announcement from Buckingham Palace.

 TV viewers finally find out the answer to the question "Who Shot JR?"  when the November 21st episode of Dallas reveals that Kristin Shepard shot JR.

 An earthquake hits southern Italy, destroying villages and killing more than 1,000 people.

 A fire breaks out at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, and quickly spreads through the main floor. Eighty-four people are killed, and 679 are injured as a result of the fire.

 Mae West, one of the most successful actresses of the 1930s and the original blonde sex symbol, dies at the age of 88. 

 In Britain, The Sunday Mirror reports that Prince Charles used the royal train for a secret love tryst with Lady Diana.

 Ron Reagan, 22, son of Ronald and Nancy Reagan, marries Doria Palmieri, 29, in a secret ceremony. Ron's parents do not attend the ceremony.

 Actor George Raft, 85, dies.

 Pope John Paul II visits the earthquake victims in southern Italy.

 In Iran, the 52 American hostages are turned over to the Iranian government and the militants who took them hostage leave the embassy.

 In New York City, the new Superman balloon makes its debut in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Snoopy balloon develops a leak shortly after the parade starts and is pulled from the lineup.

 In Binghamton, pianists Ferrante and Teicher perform at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena. Tickets are $7.50 and $8.50.

 A storm dumps up to seven inches of snow on the Southern Tier in the first significant snow fall of the season.

 The Binghamton Ballet opens its winter season with The Nutcracker Suite. Tickets are $5 and $4.50.

 Movies playing in local theaters include The Elephant Man, Loving Couples, It's My Turn, The Awakening, Hopscotch, Private Benjamin, Ordinary People, Gloria, Borderline, Silent Scream, Divine Madness, Airplane, My Brilliant Career, Battle Beyond the Stars, Windwalker, Alligator, The Black Hole, and The Black Stallion.

 Top tunes include Lady by Kenny Rogers, Woman in Love by Barbra Streisand, The Wanderer by Donna Summer, Another One Bites the Dust by Queen, and I'm Coming Out by Diana Ross.

 A Butterball turkey costs 89 cents per pound, a 12-ounce package of Birds Eye Squash costs 34 cents, and a 16-ounce can of Libby's pumpkin costs 59 cents. 

Happy Thanksgiving!