2007: Nancy Pelosi was elected the first female speaker of the House as Democrats took control of Congress.

In the world

1999: Europe’s new currency, the euro, got off to a strong start on its first trading day, rising against the dollar on world currency markets.

2006: Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon suffered a significant stroke; his official powers were transferred to his deputy, Ehud Olmert. (Sharon remained in a coma until his death in January 2014.)

Today’s birthdays

Actor Dyan Cannon is 88. Musician John McLaughlin is 83. Author-historian Doris Kearns Goodwin is 82. Musician Patty Loveless is 68. Musician Michael Stipe (R.E.M.) is 65. Actor Julia Ormond is 60. NFL running back Derrick Henry is 31. Musician-actor Coco Jones is 27. NBA center Victor Wembanyama is 21.

— The Associated Press