useless trivia: What Word Means: To Remove Fog From?

Questions

Michael Crichton, author (Andromeda Strain, Jurrasic Park, Rising Sun), born.?

During WW II, Britain launches major offensive at El Alamein, Egypt.?

United Nations General Assembly convenes in New York for first time in Flushing Meadow.?

First video recording on magnetic tape televised coast-to-coast.?

The ill-fated revolt in Communist Hungary starts -- The Prague Spring. It was later crushed by Soviet tanks.?