On this day, Nov. 3 ...

1992: In Illinois, Democrat Carol Moseley Braun becomes the first African-American woman to be elected to the United States Senate, defeating Republican Richard S. Williamson.

Also on this day:

1839: The first Opium War between China and Britain breaks out.

The first Opium War between China and Britain breaks out. 1911: The Chevrolet Motor Car Co. is founded in Detroit by Louis Chevrolet and William C. Durant. (The company would be acquired by General Motors in 1918.)

The Chevrolet Motor Car Co. is founded in Detroit by Louis Chevrolet and William C. Durant. (The company would be acquired by General Motors in 1918.) 1936: President Franklin D. Roosevelt wins a landslide election victory over Republican challenger Alfred “Alf” Landon.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt wins a landslide election victory over Republican challenger Alfred “Alf” Landon. 1957: The Soviet Union launches Sputnik 2, the second manmade satellite, into orbit; on board is a dog named Laika, who would be sacrificed in the experiment.

The Soviet Union launches Sputnik 2, the second manmade satellite, into orbit; on board is a dog named Laika, who would be sacrificed in the experiment. 1964: President Lyndon B. Johnson soundly defeats Republican Barry Goldwater to win a White House term in his own right.

President Lyndon B. Johnson soundly defeats Republican Barry Goldwater to win a White House term in his own right. 1979: Five Communist Workers Party members are killed in a clash with heavily armed Ku Klux Klansmen and neo-Nazis during an anti-Klan protest in Greensboro, N.C.

Five Communist Workers Party members are killed in a clash with heavily armed Ku Klux Klansmen and neo-Nazis during an anti-Klan protest in Greensboro, N.C. 1986: The Iran-Contra affair comes to light as Ash-Shiraa, a pro-Syrian Lebanese magazine, first breaks the story of U.S. arms sales to Iran.

1992: Democrat Bill Clinton is elected the 42nd president of the United States, defeating President George H.W. Bush.