1937Saddam Hussein, dictator of Iraq for decades is born in a village near the desert town of Tikrit. A US-led invasion topples Saddam from power in 2003. He is executed more than 3 years later.

1967Heavyweight boxing champ Muhammad Ali refuses to be inducted into the US Army during the Vietnam War. Ali is stripped of his title and barred from boxing for three and a half years. The US Supreme Court later overturns his conviction for refusing induction.

2001California businessman Dennis Tito becomes the world's first space tourist. Tito lifts off from a Russian rocket with two cosmonauts on a journey to the International Space Station.

And 1950Jay Leno, comedian and host of NBC's the Tonight Show is born in New Rochelle, New York.

"You know, essentially, when I heard the new Pope was German, I thought, oh my God, I will, can be staff of first governor. Now, ... I can't believe it, I can't believe it, ...& amazing."Today in History, April 28th, Sandy Kozel, the Associated Press.