December 24, 2014

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Hilary Hahn!

870 years ago
1144

War
The capital of the crusader County of Edessa fell to Imad ad-Din Zengi, the atabeg of Mosul and Aleppo.

720 years ago
1294

Religion
The day after the Roman Catholic papal conclave began, Benedetto Caetani was elected and installed as Pope Boniface VIII, succeeding Celestine V, who had resigned on December 13.

380 years ago
1634

Born on this date
Mariana of Austria. Queen consort of Spain, 1649-1665. Mariana, the daughter of Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand III and Maria Anna of Spain, was betrothed in 1646 to her cousin and heir to the Spanish throne Balthasar Charles, Prince of Asturias, but he died before their marriage, so she married her widowed uncle King Felipe IV, who was 30 years her senior. The couple had five children, only two of whom survived to adulthood. Their son Carlos III acceded to the throne upon the death of his father, but he was incapacitated to the extent that Queen Mariana remained as regent until her death, likely the result of breast cancer, on May 16, 1696 at the age of 61.

200 years ago
1814

War
A U.S. delegation led by Ambassador to Russia John Quincy Adams and a British delegation led by Admiral of the Fleet James Gambier signed the Treaty of Ghent, ending the War of 1812. For more on the treaty and its 200th anniversary, go here, here, here, and here.

120 years ago
1894

Born on this date
Georges Guynemer. French military aviator. Capitaine Guynemer was a pilot in the French Air Service during World War I, and had 54 combat victories before being fatally shot down on September 11, 1917 at the age of 22.

Jack Thayer. U.S. bureaucrat. Mr. Thayer, a member of a prominent Philadelphia family, was aboard RMS Titanic on its maiden voyage in 1912, and was one of the few who survived jumping into the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean. He and several others survived on top of a collapsible lifeboat for hours before being taken aboard another lifeboat. Mr. Thayer served with the U.S. Army in World War I, and became financial vice president of the University of Pennsylvania. His son Edward served as a bomber pilot in World War II and was shot down and presumed dead in 1943, which sent Mr. Thayer into a depression. He became further depressed after the death of his mother, also a Titanic survivor, on April 14, 1944, the 32nd anniversary of the disaster. Mr. Thayer committed suicide at the age of 50 on September 19, 1945 by slashing his throat and wrists.

100 years ago
1914

Born on this date
Ralph Marterie. Italian-born U.S. musician. Mr. Marterie was a trumpeter for various bands before leading his own band, achieving hit singles such as Crazy, Man, Crazy (1953) and Skokiaan (1954). He died on October 10, 1978 at the age of 63.

Died on this date
John Muir, 76. U.K.-born U.S. naturalist. Mr. Muir, a native of Scotland, moved to Wisconsin with his family at the age of 13. More than 20 years later he settled in California, where he became known for exploring the Sierra Nevada mountains. Mr. Muir was renowned as one of the first advocates for preserving the American wilderness, and co-founded the Sierra Club in 1892.

War
The "Christmas truce" began in World War I.

Sport
Duke Kahanamoku of Hawaii gave a demonstration of surfing at Sydney's Freshwater Beach; the event has been credited with helping to increase the popularity of surfing in Australia.

90 years ago
1924

World events
The Yugoslav-backed army of former Albanian cabinet minister Ahmed Zogu reclaimed the Albanian capital of Tirana, and Prime Minister Fan Noli and his government fled to Italy.

70 years ago
1944

War
With the largest tactical air assault to date in World War II, involving 6,500 planes, the Allies momentarily checked the German advance into Belgium. The U.S. 9th Army's V Corps repelled a German attack on Butgenbach. American troops captured La Gleize. Fierce fighting continued in Bastogne. ELAS forces attacking EDES guerrillas in northeastern Greece forced the latter to evacuate Yanina and Arta.

Religion
In his Christmas message, Pope Pius XII expressed support for an international organization to keep world peace.

Economics and finance
The U.S. Office of Price Administration announced new ration quotas, putting all beef back on the list.

60 years ago
1954

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Let's Have Another Party--Winifred Atwell (4th week at #1)

50 years ago
1964

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand: I Feel Fine--The Beatles

#1 single in the U.K. (Record Retailer): I Feel Fine--The Beatles (3rd week at #1)

Edmonton's top 10 (CJCA)
1 I Feel Fine--The Beatles (4th week at #1)
2 The Wedding--Julie Rogers
3 Love Potion No. 9--The Searchers
4 Amen--The Impressions
5 Run, Run, Run--The Gestures
6 Alone and Lonely--Bobby Curtola
7 Leader of the Laundromat--The Detergents
8 Mr. Lonely--Bobby Vinton
9 Anyway You Want It--Dave Clark Five
10 Keep Searchin' (We'll Follow the Sun)--Del Shannon
Pick hit of the week: This Diamond Ring--Gary Lewis and the Playboys
New this week: If You Don't Want My Love--Jack London
Shake--Sam Cooke
Have You Looked Into Your Heart--Jerry Vale
Use Your Head--Mary Wells
This Diamond Ring--Gary Lewis and the Playboys
The Monkeyshine--Carl Perkins

War
Viet Cong operatives detonated a car bomb outside the Brinks Hotel in Saigon to demonstrate they could strike an American installation in the heavily-guarded South Vietnamese capital. Two U.S. personnel were killed and 53-63 other people were injured.

40 years ago
1974

Scandal
U.K. Labour Party Member of Parliament and former cabinet minister John Stonehouse was found in Australia with his secretary and detained by authorities there, more than a month after disappearing and faking his own death while on a business trip to Miami Beach, Florida.

30 years ago
1984

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Like a Virgin--Madonna (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): ¿Cómo Pudiste Hacerme Esto a Mí?--Alaska y Dinarama (2nd week at #1)

Died on this date
Peter Lawford, 61. U.K.-born U.S. actor. Mr. Lawford, born Peter Sydney Ernest Aylen, appeared in such movies as The White Cliffs of Dover (1944); The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945); Easter Parade (1948); Little Women (1949); Ocean's 11 (1960); and Advise and Consent (1962), but was best known as a member of Frank Sinatra's "Rat Pack," and as the brother-in-law of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, having married then-Senator Kennedy's sister Patricia in 1954. He and Patricia divorced in 1966; Mr. Lawford's acting career went into decline, and he died after years of heavy drinking.

25 years ago
1989

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Escaping--Margaret Urlich (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Girl I'm Gonna Miss You--Milli Vanilli (4th week at #1)

World events
Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega took refuge in the Vatican’s diplomatic refuge in Panama City. When this news came, most of the remaining resistance to the U.S. invasion collapsed. The mission had the right to grant Gen. Noriega asylum, and negotiations began among American, Vatican, and Panamanian diplomats as to his future. U.S. officials argued that because Gen. Noriega had been indicted in the United States for drug trafficking, he was not eligible for asylum.

Economics and finance
The Canadian House of Commons approved the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) after a bitter two-week debate and closure.

Football
NFL
Detroit (7-9) 31 @ Atlanta (3-13) 24
Chicago (6-10) 0 @ San Francisco (14-2) 26
Green Bay (10-6) 20 @ Dallas (1-15) 10
Denver (11-5) 16 @ San Diego (6-10) 19
Indianapolis (8-8) 6 @ New Orleans (9-7) 41
Kansas City (8-7-1) 27 @ Miami (8-8) 24
Los Angeles Raiders (8-8) 17 @ New York Giants (12-4) 34
Los Angeles Rams (11-5) 24 @ New England (5-11) 20
Phoenix (5-11) 14 @ Philadelphia (11-5) 31
Pittsburgh (9-7) 31 @ Tampa Bay (5-11) 22
Cleveland (9-6-1) 24 @ Houston (9-7) 20

Only 7,092 fans showed up at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium to see the Falcons lose to the Lions.

20 years ago
1994

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (ARIA): Zombie--The Cranberries (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy: Strange Love--Kina

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Hyper Hyper--Scooter

#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): Cotton-Eyed Joe--Rednex (12th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (VRT): Always--Bon Jovi (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Can You Feel the Love Tonight--Elton John (4th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): I Will Survive--Hermes House Band

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Stay Another Day--East 17 (3rd week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Here Comes the Hotstepper--Ini Kamoze (2nd week at #1)
2 On Bended Knee--Boyz II Men
3 Another Night--Real McCoy
4 Always--Bon Jovi
5 Creep--TLC
6 I'll Make Love to You--Boyz II Men
7 I Wanna Be Down--Brandy
8 You Want This/'70s Love Groove--Janet Jackson
9 Secret--Madonna
10 Before I Let You Go--BLACKstreet

Singles entering the chart were Pickup Man by Joe Diffie (#83); Pimp of the Year by Dru Down (#91); Promise Me by Lil Suzy (#93); Bad Reputation by Freedy Johnston (#95); and Whutcha Want? by Nine (#97).

U.S.A. top 10 (Cash Box)
1 On Bended Knee--Boyz II Men (4th week at #1)
2 Another Night--Real McCoy
3 Here Comes the Hotstepper--Ini Kamoze
4 Always--Bon Jovi
5 I'm the Only One--Melissa Etheridge
6 You Want This/70's Love Groove--Janet Jackson
7 Secret--Madonna
8 Creep--TLC
9 I Wanna Be Down--Brandy
10 I'll Make Love to You--Boyz II Men

Singles entering the chart were If You Love Me by Brownstone (#68); Don't Say Goodbye Girl by Tevin Campbell (#79); She Don't Use Jelly by Flaming Lips (#82); You Suck by the Murmurs (#86); and All I Want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey (#88).

Died on this date
Rossano Brazzi, 78. Italian actor. Mr. Brazzi was known for movies such as Three Coins in the Fountain (1954); The Barefoot Contessa (1954); Summertime (1955); and South Pacific (1958).

Terrorism
Air France Flight 8969 was hijacked on the ground at Houari Boumediene Airport in Algiers. Over the course of three days, three passengers were killed, as were all four terrorists.

10 years ago
2004

Died on this date
Johnny Oates, 58. U.S. baseball player and manager. Mr. Oates was a catcher with the Baltimore Orioles (1970, 1972); Atlanta Braves (1973-1975); Philadelphia Phillies (1975-1976); Los Angeles Dodgers (1977-1979); and New York Yankees (1980-1981), batting .250 with 14 home runs and 126 runs batted in in 593 games. He managed the Orioles (1991-1994) and Texas Rangers (1995-2001), compiling a record of 797-746, leading the Rangers to American League West Division pennants in 1996, 1998, and 1999. Mr. Oates died after a three-year battle with a brain tumour.