Dateline

November 17

In 2003, at the age of 21, Britney Spears becomes the youngest singer ever to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In 1950, Lhamo Dondrub is officially named the 14th Dalai Lama.

November 18

In 2012, Nintendo releases the Wii U video game console.

In 1963, the first push-button telephones are made available to the public.

November 19

Birthday wishes go out to Academy Award-winning American actress Jodie Foster (1962).

In 1998, Vincent van Gogh’s Portrait of the Artist Without Beard painting sells at auction for $71.5 million (2.3 billion baht).

November 20

Until January 4 at 100 Tonson Gallery on Ploenchit Road, see Days of (Endless) Meaninglessness, an exhibition of photographs recreated on canvas by local artist Phaptawan Suwannakudt. The gallery is open Thursday to Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm. For more details, call 02 684 1527.

In 1805, Ludwig van Beethoven’s only opera, Fidelio, premieres in Vienna.

November 21

Happy Birthday to English musician and Blur bassist Alex James (1968).

In 2009, mine explosion in Heilongjiang province of northeastern China kills 108 people.

November 22

Today and tomorrow, see the Rock and Roll Come Back Music Festival II in Saraburi. Enjoy live performances by Zero Hero, The Richman Toy, Lomosonic, Hugo, Brown Flying, Flure, Apartment Khunpa, Abuse the Youth, Desktop Error and many more from noon until late at Baan Subpadoo, Muak Lek district. Tickets are 800 baht at Thai Ticketmajor. For more information, call 02 565 3456.

In 1995, Toy Story, the first feature film created completely using computer-generated imagery, is released.

November 23

In 1963, in the UK, the BBC broadcasts the first episode of Doctor Who. The show has now become the world’s longest-running science fiction drama.

In 1992, the world’s first smartphone, the IBM Simon, is introduced at the Computer Dealers’ Exhibition in Las Vegas, USA.