Today in history—November 28

1520: One of the world’s great commercial voyages hits a milestone, as Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition emerges from All Saints Channel (now the Straits of Magellan) into the Pacific.  Only one of the original five ships will make it back to Spain, but its cargo of 50,000 pounds of cloves will make the whole venture profitable.

1582: William (Merchant of Venice) Shakespeare marries Anne Hathaway.

1660: The Royal Society is formed in London.

1820: Friedrich Engels is born. 

1907: A scrap metal dealer named Louis B. Mayer opens his first small movie theater in Haverville, Massachusetts. He later will be one of the founders of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and one of Hollywood’s most powerful men.

1929: Motown founder Berry Gordy, Jr., (left) is born in, well, Motown.  In 1959 he’ll borrow $800 to start the record label.  First hit?  Barrett Strong’s Money (That’s What I Want)—co-written by Gordy.

1963: The Beatles’ “I Want to Hold Your Hand” becomes the first record to sell a million copies before it’s even released

1988: Pablo Picasso’s “Acrobat & Harlequin” sells for $38.5 million.

1989: Outfielder Rickey Henderson signs a then-record $3 million-a-year contract with the Oakland A’s baseball team.