December 26, 2012

175 years ago
1837

Born on this date
George Dewey. U.S. military officer. Commodore Dewey led the United States Navy to victory over Spain in the Battle of Manila Bay in the Spanish-American War in 1898, which was largely responsible for the U.S.A. gaining recognition as a major naval power. He died on January 16, 1917 at the age of 79.

150 years ago
1862

World events
38 Sioux Indians who had been convicted of murder or rape during the Dakota War of 1862 several months earlier were hanged in Mankato, Minnesota in the largest mass execution in American history.

War
In the U.S. Civil War, the Battle of Chickasaw Bayou began in Warren County, Mississippi.

70 years ago
1942

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): White Christmas--Bing Crosby (9th week at #1)

60 years ago
1952

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Here in My Heart--Al Martino (7th week at #1)

On television tonight
Tales of Tomorrow, on ABC
Tonight's episode: The Bitter Storm, starring Arnold Moss, Philip Pine, Ethel Remey, and Joanne Woodward



Died on this date
Lyn Harding, 76. U.K. actor. Mr. Harding was a stage actor who appeared in several movies, most notably as Dr. Grimesby Roylott in The Speckled Band (1931) and as Professor Moriarty in The Triumph of Sherlock Holmes (1935); and Silver Blaze (aka Murder at the Baskervilles) (1937).

40 years ago
1972

Died on this date
Harry S Truman, 88. 33rd President of the United States of America, 1945-1953; Vice President of the United States of America, 1945. Mr. Truman represented Missouri in the United States Senate from 1935-1945 and came to national prominence as chairman of the Senate subcommittee on Military Affairs in the early 1940s, exposing waste in military spending. He was named to replace Henry Wallace as President Franklin D. Roosevelt's running mate in 1944, and succeeded to the presidency upon Mr. Roosevelt's death on April 12, 1945. A native of Lamar, Missouri and a longtime resident of Independence, Missouri, he died in hospital in Kansas City.

War
As part of Operation Linebacker II, 120 U.S. B-52 Stratofortress bombers, including 78 launched from Guam, attacked Hanoi in the largest single combat launch in the history of the Strategic Air Command.

25 years ago
1987

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy: La Bamba--Los Lobos (5th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K.: Always on My Mind--Pet Shop Boys (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Faith--George Michael (3rd week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Faith--George Michael (3rd week at #1)
2 Is This Love--Whitesnake
3 Got My Mind Set on You--George Harrison
4 So Emotional--Whitney Houston
5 Don't You Want Me--Jody Watley
6 Shake Your Love--Debbie Gibson
7 The Way You Make Me Feel--Michael Jackson
8 Catch Me (I'm Falling)--Pretty Poison
9 Valerie--Steve Winwood
10 Need You Tonight--INXS

Singles entering the chart were Rhythmm of Love by Yes (#76); Love Overboard by Gladys Knight and the Pips (#86); Twilight World by Swing Out Sister (#87); Live My Life by Boy George (#88); Burning Like a Flame by Dokken (#89); and Rain in the Summertime by Alarm (#90).

Canada’s top 10 (RPM)
1 Faith--George Michael (2nd week at #1)
2 Pop Goes the World--Men Without Hats
3 Heaven is a Place on Earth--Belinda Carlisle
4 I Think We're Alone Now--Tiffany
5 Got My Mind Set on You--George Harrison
6 (I've Had) The Time of My Life--Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes
7 When a Man Loves a Woman--Luba
8 Mony Mony (Live)--Billy Idol
9 So Emotional--Whitney Houston
10 Try--Blue Rodeo

Singles entering the chart were What Have I Done to Deserve This by Pet Shop Boys (with Dusty Springfield) (#84); I Live for Your Love by Natalie Cole (#88); Can't Stay Away from You by Gloria Estefan (#92); and True Love Will Find a Way by Patrick Norman (#95).

20 years ago
1992

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (ARIA): I Will Always Love You--Whitney Houston (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy: Dur dur d'être bébé!--Jordy (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (VRT): Highland--One More Time (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in France: Dur dur d'être bébé!--Jordy (10th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): I Will Always Love You--Whitney Houston (5th week at #1)

U.S. top 10 (Cash Box)
1 I Will Always Love You--Whitney Houston (4th week at #1)
2 If I Ever Fall in Love--Shai
3 Rump Shaker--Wreckx-N-Effect
4 The (Elvis) Letter--Wayne Newton
5 In the Still of the Nite--Boyz II Men
6 I'd Die Without You--PM Dawn
7 How Do You Talk to an Angel--The Heights
8 Good Enough--Bobby Brown
9 Rhythm is a Dancer--Snap!
10 To Love Somebody--Michael Bolton

Singles entering the chart included Mr. Wendal by Arrested Development (#57); Reminisce by Mary J. Blige (#61); Steam by Peter Gabriel (#83); and Forever in Love by Kenny G (#97).

Canada's top 10 (RPM)
1 I Will Always Love You--Whitney Houston (2nd week at #1)
2 To Love Somebody--Michael Bolton
3 Song Instead of a Kiss--Alannah Myles
4 Love Can Move Mountains--Celine Dion
5 Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses--U2
6 Keep the Faith--Bon Jovi
7 The Last Song--Elton John
8 Faithful--Go West
9 How Do You Talk to an Angel--The Heights
10 Never a Time--Genesis

Singles entering the chart included Heading West by Mitsou (#84); No Mistakes by Patty Smyth (#88); If I Ever Fall in Love by Shai (#89); Little Bird by Annie Lennox (#92); N.Y.C. (Can You Believe this City) by Charles & Eddie (#93); Give it Up, Turn it Loose by En Vogue (#95); Behind the Sun by Red Hot Chili Peppers (#96); and Tell the Truth by Jude Cole (#97).