On This Day:

1955 – The first Disneyland theme park, in Anaheim, California, officially opens to the public.

1918 – Nelson Mandela, South African politician, President (1994-1999); Nobel Peace Prize laureate

1921 – John Glenn, American astronaut and politician

1937 – Hunter S. Thompson, American journalist and author (d. 2005)

1940 – Joe Torre, American baseball player and manager

1950 – Sir Richard Branson, British entrepreneur

1954 – Ricky Skaggs, American country/bluegrass musician

1967 – Vin Diesel, American actor

1978 – Mélissa Theuriau, French newscaster

1980 – Kristen Bell, American actress