What was going on when I was born?

Eastern Air Lines said yesterday that it would effectively double its coast-to-coast fares Jan. 1 and stiffen restrictions on its transcontinental bargain flights.

ANDREE PUTMAN is, as the French put it so aptly, "un personnage extraordinaire." She is energetic, stylish and has plenty of charm, which detracts ever so charmingly from what is surely a self-as sured business mind. Armed with her collection of authentic reproduction furniture, Mrs. Putman has set out to conquer the United States, starting in Chicago.

MADRID, Nov. 12--Andrei A. Amalrik, a prominent Soviet exile, was killed late last night in an automobile accident as he and his wife and two other Soviet exiles were on their way to Madrid to take part in a conference organized by dissident groups.

Public-television stations, particularly those in large cities traditionally most committed to creating their own programs, are facing a serious financial crisis that is forcing them to eliminate programs, lay off staff and re-examine ...

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12--The fouryear battle over how to use Federal lands in Alaska ended quietly today when the House approved and sent to the White House a Senate measure designating more than 104 million acres as national parks, wildlife refuges and national conservation areas.

Jurors at the Abscam bribery trial of Representatives John M. Murphy of Staten Island and Frank Thompson Jr. of Trenton saw videotapes yesterday in which each man takes part in a meeting ...

Although the subways are still the chief means that most New Yorkers use to get to work and back, with fares hovering around the one billion mark each year, increasing numbers of people are turning to automobiles, to commercial transportation, to bicycles and to walking.

ATTICA, N.Y., Nov. 12--Governor Carey toured the state correctional facility here today and left promising to ask the Legislature for $30 million to improve the state's prison system.

The stock market, apparently reflecting a growing belief that interest rates will soon peak, soared yesterday in heavy trading. The Dow Jones industrial average climbed 20.90 points, to 964.93, closing at its best level for the session.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12--Democratic leaders in Congress pledged cooperation today with their Republican colleagues and President-elect Ronald Reagan, then sidetracked the tax-cut legislation that Republicans had sought and announced that they would press for a budget resolution the Republicans had sought to delay.

PASADENA, Calif., Nov. 12--AnAmerican spaceship of discovery, Voyager 1, sailed past Saturn and through its archipelago of moons today in the first close photographic reconnaissance of the solar system's second largest planet.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12--President Carter, discussing his personal plans in a subdued, almost melancholy appearance in the White House press room, said today that he would return to Plains, Ga., next Jan. 20 to write his memoirs and "live the life of a former President."