November 12, 1985: The Polar Express is a 1985 fantasy children's picture book written and illustrated by American author Chris Van Allsburg. The book is now widely considered to be a classic Christmas story for young children.

On this day in:

1901 National Biscuit Company registered ‘Nabisco’ trademark (biscuits, crackers, bread).

1908 William Keith Brooks died. An influential zoologist, he was a champion for the conservation of the Chesapeake Bay oyster.

1924 Washburn Crosby Company (General Mills predecessor) introduced 'Wheaties' breakfast cereal.  (Originally called ‘Washburn's Gold Medal Whole Wheat Flakes’).  

1926 Jack Ryan was born. Before helping to develop the Barbie Doll for Mattell, Ryan worked for the Pentagon designing missiles!

1936 The first TV Gardening show 'In Your Garden' is broadcast on BBC television.

1936 The Oakland Bay Bridge opened.

1947 Buck Dharma of the music group 'Blue Oyster Cult' was born.

1954 Ellis Island in New York Harbor closed after processing more than 12 million immigrants since its opening in 1892.

1956  Ice cubes, anyone? The U.S. Navy icebreaker, USS Glacier, sighted the largest iceberg ever recorded. At 208 miles long and 60 miles wide it was about the size of Belgium!. The iceberg had broken from the Ross Ice Shelf in the Antarctic.

1974 After more than 125 years, salmon returned to the River Thames in England.

1980 The play 'Lunch Hour' opened on Broadway.

1989 The musical drama 'Grand Hotel' opened on Broadway. It ran for 1,017 performances.

2020 Coronavirus: All states show substantial increases in new coronavirus infections, with at least 17 states at peak levels; Numerous States and Cities reinstating strict lockdowns and school closings.