Hurricane Kate formed northeast of Puerto Rico on November 15, 1985, as the eleventh named storm of the annual hurricane season. Kate made its first landfall on the northern coast of Cuba at Category 2 intensity, then emerged as a slightly weaker storm during the evening hours of November 19. Heavy rainfall in Cuba caused numerous mudslides and flooding, killing 10 people and leading to severe agricultural damage. Wind gusts also damaged crops, and resulted in widespread power outages and significant building damage; the cost in Cuba totaled $400 million, the most from a hurricane strike on that island in many decades. Once clear of land, Kate intensified to Category 3, and the following day it attained its peak winds of around 120 mph (195 km/h). It came ashore near Mexico Beach, Florida, as a minimal Category 2 hurricane with winds of 100 mph (160 km/h) on November 21, the latest day ever in an Atlantic hurricane season that a hurricane-strength storm has struck the United States. There were 17 deaths attributable to the storm, in Jamaica and Cuba, and the total damage caused was at least $700 million.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Kate_(1985)

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

565:

On his deathbed, Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian I informed his chamberlain that his nephew Justin II was to be his successor. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_II

1864:

American Civil War: Union Army General William T. Sherman began his "March to the Sea", inflicting significant damage to property and infrastructure on his way from Atlanta to Savannah, Georgia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Tecumseh_Sherman

1889:

Brazilian Emperor Pedro II was overthrown in a coup led by Deodoro da Fonseca, and Brazil was proclaimed a republic. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decline_and_fall_of_Pedro_II_of_Brazil

1943:

The Holocaust: Heinrich Himmler ordered that Romanies were to be put "on the same level as Jews and placed in concentration camps". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porajmos

1988:

The Soviet Buran spacecraft, a reusable vehicle built in response to NASA's Space Shuttle program, was launched, unmanned, on her only flight. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buran_(spacecraft)

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

philanthropy: 1. (chiefly uncountable) Benevolent altruism with the intention of increasing the well-being of mankind. 2. (uncountable) Charitable giving, charity. 3. (countable) A philanthropic act. 4. (countable) A charitable foundation. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/philanthropy

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

There is no greater mindlessness and absurdity than to force conscience and the spirit with external power, when only their creator has authority for them.   --Ferenc Dávid https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Ferenc_D%C3%A1vid