December 24, 2011

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Hilary Hahn!

250 years ago
1761

Born on this date
Selim III, 46. Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, 1789-1807. Selim III was the son of Sultan Mustafa III and was designated as his successor, but Selim's uncle Abdul Hamid I took the throne after Mustafa III's death, and Selim had to wait 15 years. Sultan Selim III was a poet and composer, and some of his compositions still exist. He instituted military reforms, but the elite soldiers known as Janissaries eventually deposed Selim III in favour of his cousin Mustafa IV. There was a movement to restore Selim III to the throne, but before this could take place, he was assassinated on July 28, 1808 at the age of 46.

160 years ago
1851

Disasters
Fire devastated the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., destroying about 35,000 volumes.

140 years ago
1871

Opera
Giuseppe Verdi's opera Aida received its premiere performance, conducted by Giovanni Bottesin,i at Khedivial Opera House in Cairo, as the completion of the final stages of the Suez Canal was being celebrated.

130 years ago
1881

Born on this date
Charles Wakefield Cadman. U.S. composer and critic. Mr. Cadman was appointed music editor and critic for the Pittsburgh Dispatch in 1908, and was regarded as a leading expert on American Indian music, writing and lecturing on the subject, and allowing it to influence his compositions. He moved to Los Angeles in the 1920s, helping to found the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, performing there as a piano soloist, and composing scores for motion pictures in the early years of sound movies. Mr. Cadman wrote music in various genres, but was best known for his 40-year collaboration with lyricist Nelle Richmond Eberhart, who wrote librettos for his operas and words for his songs. He died on December 30, 1946, six days after his 65th birthday.

120 years ago
1891

Born on this date
Feodor Rojankovsky. Russian-born illustrator. Mr. Rojankovsky, aka Rojan, was a White Russian who began his career in his native land, but was left stateless after the U.S.S.R. came into existence, living in France and eventually settling in the United States in 1941. He was best known for illustrating more than 100 children's books, including 35 Little Golden Books from 1943-1970. Mr. Rojankovsky won the 1956 Caldecott Medal for illustrating John Langstaff's Frog Went A-Courtin'. He died on October 12, 1970 at the age of 78.

75 years ago
1936

On the radio
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Louis Hector and Harry West, on MBS
Tonight's episode: The Hound of the Baskervilles, Part 6

This was the last episode of the series, and the last radio appearances for Messrs. Hector and West in their respective roles as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. Mr. Hector played Sherlock Holmes in an experimental television broadcast in 1937. There were no more new Sherlock Holmes radio broadcasts until October 2 1939, when Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce began reprising their movie roles as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in a series on NBC.

70 years ago
1941

Died on this date
Siegfried Alkan, 83. German composer. Mr. Alkan, a distant relative of Felix Mendelsson, was a pianist and music store owner who also worked in the insurance business. His compositions consisted mainly of songs. Mr. Alkan was a victim of "Kristallnacht" on November 9, 1938, when his store was vandalized, his piano and other instruments were thrown into the street, and his scores were scattered and lost.

War
Admiral Émile Muselier captured the archipelago of Saint Pierre and Miquelon off Newfoundland, which became the first part of France to be liberated by Free French Forces. Japanese forces overran the makeshift hospital at St. Stephen’s College in Hong Kong during the final days of the defense of the territory, bayoneting some patients in their beds. There were nearly 800 Canadian casualties; many captured Canadians were prisoners for the rest of World War II. Japanese forces conquered Kuching, capital of Sarawak, Borneo, and landed in force at three points on the Philippine island of Luzon: Atimonan, Mauban, and Nasugbu. British forces conquered Barce, Benina, and Benghazi, Libya.

Diplomacy
U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and U.K. Prime Minister Winston Churchill made brief Christmas Eve addresses at the lighting of the Christmas tree on the lawn of the White House. Mr. Roosevelt said that Americans must prepare "our hearts...for the labor and sacrifice which lie ahead."

Religion
Pope Pius XII outlined a five-point peace plan based on the "integrity and security" of all states.

Academia
Brown University and Pembroke College announced that they would admit to the next freshman class outstanding students who had completed their third year of high school.

Journalism
Brazilian police closed the Japanese newspaper Brasil Asahi and German newspapers in Sao Paulo and Santa Catharina.

Technology
Ford Motor Company announced that it was ready to begin producing about 1,000 pounds daily of synthetic fiber developed from soybeans, to be used principally in upholstery.

Economics and finance
U.S. Federal Price Administrator Leon Henderson fixed prices for leather of all types, grades, and qualities at levels which prevailed between November 6-December 6.

60 years ago
1951

On television tonight
Hallmark Television Playhouse, on NBC
Tonight's broadcast: Amahl and the Night Visitors

Amahl and the Night Visitors, with music and libretto by Gian Carlo Menotti, was the first opera specifically composed for television in the United States, and received its premiere performance by the NBC Opera Theatre at NBC Studio 8H in Rockefeller Center, New York City. It was broadcast live on 35 network stations across the United States.



Lights Out, on NBC
Tonight's episode: This Way to Heaven, starring Kathleen Comegys, Beverly Dennis, Burgess Meredith, and Robert Webber

Africana
The Kingdom of Libya was proclaimed, with Idris as King.

War
The South Korean government claimed that 117,361 S.K. civilians were missing or known to have been abducted by the Communists.

Economics and finance
Brazilian President Getulio Vargas signed a decree raising minimum wages 150% to a monthly average of $45.

Labour
U.S. President Harry Truman threatened to take any measures necessary to prevent a steel industry strike and consequent damage to the national defense effort.

50 years ago
1961

Football
AFL Championship @ Balboa Stadium, San Diego
Houston Oilers 10 @ San Diego Chargers 3

George Blanda completed a 35-yard pass to Billy Cannon in the 3rd quarter for the game's only touchdown as the Oilers beat the Chargers before 29,556 fans to win the AFL championship for the second straight season. It was a sloppy game, as the Oilers made 7 turnovers and the Chargers 6. Mr. Blanda kicked a 46-yard field goal in the 2nd quarter for the only scoring of the 1st half, and converted Mr. Cannon's touchdown. George Blair kicked a 12-yard field goal for San Diego in the 4th quarter. The winning head coach was Wally Lemm, who had replaced fired incumbent Lou Rymkus after 5 games. The Oilers were 1-3-1 when Mr. Lemm had become the team's head coach, and they had gone 9-0 in their last 10 regular season games under him.



40 years ago
1971

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey--Paul & Linda McCartney (6th week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Mamy Blue--Pop Tops (8th week at #1)

South Africa's Top 10 (Springbok Radio)
1 Mammy Blue--Charisma (10th week at #1)
2 Get Me Some Help--Neville Whitmill
3 Amen--Peanutbutter Conspiracy
4 Butterfly--Danyel Gerard
5 Cousin Norman--Marmalade
6 You--Peter Maffay
7 The Desiderata--Les Crane
8 Never Ending Song of Love--The New Seekers
9 Soley Soley--Middle of the Road
10 Daddy Don't You Walk So Fast--Daniel Boone

The only single entering the chart was Tokoloshe Man by John Kongos (#17).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CKLG)
1 Brand New Key--Melanie (2nd week at #1)
2 I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing (In Perfect Harmony)--The New Seekers
3 An Old Fashioned Love Song--Three Dog Night
4 American Pie--Don McLean
5 Sunshine--Jonathan Edwards
6 Devil You--Stampeders
7 No Good to Cry--The Poppy Family
8 Hey Girl--Donny Osmond
9 Day After Day--Badfinger
10 Family Affair--Sly & the Family Stone

Singles entering the chart were Stay with Me by Faces (#27); Where Did Our Love Go by Donnie Elbert (#28); Without You by Nilsson (#29); and Sour Suite by the Guess Who (#30).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CKVN)
1 (I Know) I'm Losing You--Rod Stewart with Faces
2 Brand New Key--Melanie
3 I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing (In Perfect Harmony)--The New Seekers
4 Day After Day--Badfinger
5 American Pie--Don McLean
6 Sunshine--Jonathan Edwards
7 Family Affair--Sly & the Family Stone
8 Can I Get a Witness--Lee Michaels
9 Devil You--Stampeders
10 Respect Yourself--The Staple Singers

Singles entering the chart were Black Dog by Led Zeppelin (#34); Without You by Nilsson (#35); Levon by Elton John (#36); Me and Bobby McGee by Jerry Lee Lewis (#37); Joy by the Ventures (#38); Tupelo Honey by Van Morrison (#39); and Happy Xmas (War is Over) by John Lennon/Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band with the Harlem Community Choir (#40).

Crime
U.S. President Richard Nixon commuted the prison term of former International Brotherhood of Teamsters President James Hoffa, who had served 4 years, 9 months, and 16 days of a 13-year sentence for jury tampering.

Disasters
LANSA Flight 508, a Lockheed L-188A Electra turboprop en route from Lima to Pucallpa, Peru, was struck by lightning and crashed in the Puerto Inca District in the Department of Huánuco, killing 91 of 92 people aboard. It remains the deadliest lightning strike in history.

30 years ago
1981

Hit parade
#1 single in Vancouver (CKLG) Young Turks--Rod Stewart (4th week at #1)

Edmonton's Top 20 (CHED)
1 Take Off--Bob and Doug McKenzie
2 Leather and Lace--Stevie Nicks with Don Henley
3 Don't Stop Believin'--Journey
4 Working for the Weekend--Loverboy
5 Physical--Olivia Newton-John
6 Lunatic Fringe--Red Rider
7 Trouble--Lindsey Buckingham
8 Waiting for a Girl Like You--Foreigner
9 Under Pressure--Queen & David Bowie
10 Oh No--Commodores
11 Centerfold--J. Geils Band
12 Our Lips are Sealed--Go-Go's
13 Young Turks--Rod Stewart
14 For Those About to Rock--AC/DC
15 Here I Am--Air Supply
16 My Girl (Gone, Gone, Gone)--Chilliwack
17 I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)--Daryl Hall & John Oates
18 Wind Him Up--Saga
19 Every Little Thing She Does is Magic--The Police
20 No Reply at All--Genesis

Edmonton's Top 10 (CFRN)
1 Hooked on Classics--The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (2nd week at #1)
2 Waiting for a Girl Like You--Foreigner
3 Wired for Sound--Cliff Richard
4 Harden My Heart--Quarterflash
5 Yesterday's Songs--Neil Diamond
6 Why Do Fools Fall in Love--Diana Ross
7 Leather and Lace--Stevie Nicks with Don Henley
8 Comin' in and Out of Your Life--Barbra Streisand
9 The Theme from Hill Street Blues--Mike Post
10 Heart Like a Wheel--Steve Miller Band

25 years ago
1986

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden: The Way You Are--Agnetha Fältskog and Ola Håkansson (6th week at #1)

10 years ago
2001

World events
A truce between the new government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam went into effect.

Politics and government
Patrick Manning took office as Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.