December 21, 2016

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Juliette Richard and Maria de los Milagros!

130 years ago
1886

Born on this date
Gennaro Papi. Italian-born opera conductor. Mr. Papi emigrated to the United States in 1913, serving as assistant conductor (1913-1915) and principal conductor (1915-1927, 1935-1941) of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, and as the first conductor of the Chicago Civic Opera (1927-1935). He died of a heart attack in his apartment on November 29, 1941, 22 days before his 55th birthday, and several hours before he was to conduct a performance of La Traviata at the Metropolitan.

125 years ago
1891

Born on this date
John W. McCormack. U.S. politician. Mr. McCormack, a Democrat, represented Massachusetts in the United States House of Representatives from 1928-1971. He was majority leader from 1939-1947, 1951-1953, and 1955-1961, minority leader from 1947-1949 and 1953-1955, and Speaker of the House from 1962-1971. Mr. McCormack opposed Communism and supported farm bills. He died on November 22, 1980 at the age of 88.

Politics and government
Charles Boucher de Boucherville, a Conservative, was sworn in as Premier of Québec for the second time, five days after Honoré Mercie had been removed from office by Lieutenant Governor Auguste-Réal Angers on corruption charges. Mr. Boucherville had previously been Premier from 1874-1878.

Basketball
The first game of basketball was played at International Young Men's Christian Association Training School (today known as Springfield College) in Springfield, Massachusetts. A soccer ball was used, and peach baskets (with the bottoms intact) were nailed onto a 10-foot elevated track.

120 years ago
1896

Born on this date
Leroy Robertson. U.S. composer. Dr. Robertson taught at Brigham Young University (1925-1948) and the University of Utah (1948-1962). He wrote piano, organ, and string works, as well as Mormon hymns, and was best known for Oratorio from the Book of Mormon (1953). Mr. Robertson died on July 25, 1971 at the age of 74.

80 years ago
1936

Defense
The German Junkers Ju 88 multi-role combat aircraft made its first flight.

75 years ago
1941

On the radio
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, on NBC
Tonight's episode: Donald's Death

Died on this date
David Howard, 45. U.S. film director. Mr. Howard directed 46 movies, mainly low-budget Westerns, from 1930 until his death.

Movies
The U.S. National Board of Review of Motion Pictures chose Citizen Kane as the best Hollywood picture of 1941.

War
Thai Prime Minister Luang Bipul Songgram and Japanese Ambassador Teiji Tsubogami signed a 10-year military alliance pledging each country not to make a separate peace. The treaty was signed in the presence of the Emerald Buddha in Wat Phra Kaew, Thailand. The U.S. War Department reported that U.S. planes had bombed the Philippine islands of Luzon, Cebu, and Mindanao in the past 24 hours. U.S. Navy Secretary Frank Knox claimed that U.S. Navy ships "have to the present time probably sunk or damaged at least 14 enemy submarines" in the Atlantic Ocean.

Education
The American Council of Education recommended that the high school and college education of talented students be sped up to permit them to graduate from college at age 20 in order to meet the new military draft requirements.

Health
Reports from Stockholm stated that an epidemic of typhus had broken out in Lithuania and other German-occupied territory in eastern Europe.

Football
NFL
Championship @ Wrigley Field, Chicago
New York Giants 9 @ Chicago Bears 37

The game was played just two weeks after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and only 13,341 fans showed up to see the Bears defeat the Giants to win their second straight NFL title. Field goals of 14, 39, and 37 yards by Chicago's Bob Snyder offset an unconverted New York touchdown on a 31-yard pass from Tuffy Leemans to George Franck, and the Bears led 9-6 at halftime. The Giants tied the game in the 3rd quarter on a 16-yard field goal by Ward Cuff, but the Bears put the game away with touchdown rushes of 2 and 7 yards by Norm Standlee--the first converted by Mr. Snyder, the second by Joe Maniaci--to lead 23-9 after 3 quarters. In the 4th quarter, George McAfee rushed 5 yards for a touchdown, and Lee Artoe's convert made the score 30-9. The final touchdown came on a 42-yard fumble return by Ken Kavanaugh. Ray "Scooter" McLean drop-kicked the convert for the game's final point. Mr. McLean's convert was the last successful drop kick in the NFL until a point after touchdown by Doug Flutie of the New England Patriots in January 2006.



70 years ago
1946

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Ole Buttermilk Sky--Kay Kyser and his Orchestra (vocal chorus by Michael Douglas and the Campus Kids) (Best Seller--2nd week at #1); Rumors are Flying--Frankie Carle and his Orchestra with Marjorie Hughes (Airplay--9th week at #1); The Old Lamp-Lighter by Swing and Sway with Sammy Kaye (Vocal refrain by Billy Williams and Choir) (Juke Box--1st week at #1; Honor Roll of Hits--1st week at #1)

On the radio
The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Tom Conway and Nigel Bruce, on ABC
Tonight's episode: The Grand Old Man

Died on this date
Eugene Talmadge, 62. U.S. politician. Mr. Talmadge, a Democrat, was Governor of Georgia from 1933-1937 and 1941-1943; he was elected to a fourth term in November 1946, but died of hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver, caused by heavy drinking, before the January 1947 inauguration. Mr. Talmadge was known for his opposition to U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal economic policies, and for civil rights for Negroes; his third term included the dismissal of University of Georgia Dean Walter Cocking and others at the university who supported bringing white and Negro students together in the classroom. Mr. Talmadge was succeeded after his death by his son Herman, who served for just two months before yielding to a court ruling in favour of Melvin Thompson, who had been elected Lieutenant Governor in November 1946.

Diplomacy
In accordance with the December 9 United Nations decision on Spain, the United Kingdom recalled her Amabassador to Spain, Sir Victor Mallet.

The Arab Higher Executive Committee announced that Palestinian Arabs would refuse to pay taxes if the money was used to support Jewish immigration.

Politics and government
The Bavarian State Assembly elected Christian Social Unionist Hans Ehard as Minister President of Bavaria.

Law
The U.S. War Department Advisory Committee on Military Justice issued a report detailing seven basic defects in the Army court martial system, including domination of courts by commanders, and excessive sentences. Among the changes recommended was inclusion of enlisted men on courts martial.

Economics and finance
The government of Quebec reorganized the province's Dairy Industry Commission, following the resignation of its president, Jules Côté. The commission, created in 1934, was used to set the price of milk in the cities.

Labour
Mexican President Miguel Aleman supported the state oil agency in dismissing 50 leaders of the national oil workers' union for a December 19 strike.

Disasters
An 8.1 Mw earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Nankaidō, Japan killed over 1,300 people and destroyed over 38,000 homes.

60 years ago
1956

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Just Walking in the Rain--Johnnie Ray (6th week at #1)

Diplomacy
A Chinese Communist broadcast warned the U.S.S.R. to avoid "great-nation chauvinism" in its relations with other Communist states.

India warned Portugal against further violation of Indian air space by Portuguese planes en route to Goa.

Economics and finance
The U.S. Export-Import Bank offered the United Kingdom a $600-million loan for oil and other purchases in the United States.

Died on this date
Lewis Terman, 79. U.S. psychologist. Dr. Terman was known for his work in intelligence testing, particularly the revision of the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Quotient test. His interest in gifted children led him to initiate the longitudinal Genetic Studies of Genius. Dr. Terman was a eugenicist and a member of the Human Betterment Foundation; he died 25 days before his 80th birthday.

50 years ago
1966

Hit parade
Australia's Top 10 (Go-Set):
1 Ooh La La--Normie Rowe
2 Good Vibrations--The Beach Boys
4 No Milk Today--Herman's Hermits
3 Friday on My Mind--The Easybeats
5 Let it Be Me (EP)--Johnny Young
6 Sorry--The Easybeats
7 Winchester Cathedral--The New Vaudeville Band
8 Mellow Yellow--Donovan
9 Spicks and Specks--The Bee Gees
10 Lady Godiva--Peter and Gordon

Singles entering the chart were Blueberry Hill (EP) by the Loved Ones (#17) and You Keep Me Hangin' On by the Supremes (#32).

At the movies
Gambit, directed by Ronald Neame, and starring Shirley MacLaine and Michael Caine, opened in theatres.



Grand Prix, directed by John Frankenheimer, and starring James Garner and Eva Marie Saint, opened in theatres.



Space
The U.S.S.R. launched the lunar probe Luna 13.

40 years ago
1976

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Daddy Cool--Boney M (4th week at #1)

On television tonight
Family, on ABC
Tonight's episode: On the First Day of Christmas

25 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Australian Music Report): Black or White--Michael Jackson (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Black or White--Michael Jackson (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Black or White--Michael Jackson (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): Black or White--Michael Jackson (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Black or White--Michael Jackson (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Qui a le droit...--Patrick Bruel (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (CIN): Bohemian Rhapsody/These Are the Days of Our Lives--Queen

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Kon Ik Maar Even Bij Je Zijn--Gordon (4th week at #1)
2 I Love Your Smile--Shanice
3 Black or White--Michael Jackson
4 Smells Like Teen Spirit--Nirvana
5 Roodkapje--Pater Moeskroen
6 Go--Moby
7 The Show Must Go On--Queen
8 Mysterious Ways--U2
9 Over and Over Again--Robby Valentine
10 Let's Talk About Sex!--Salt-N-Pepa

Singles entering the chart were When a Man Loves a Woman by Michael Bolton (#28); Keepin' the Faith by De La Soul (#30); The Unforgiven by Metallica (#34); and 2 Legit 2 Quit by Hammer (#39).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Black or White--Michael Jackson (3rd week at #1)
2 It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday--Boyz II Men
3 All 4 Love--Color Me Badd
4 Set Adrift on Memory Bliss--P.M. Dawn
5 When a Man Loves a Woman--Michael Bolton
6 Can't Let Go--Mariah Carey
7 Blowing Kisses in the Wind--Paula Abdul
8 Finally--CeCe Peniston
9 2 Legit 2 Quit--MC Hammer
10 Wildside--Marky Mark & the Funky Bunch

Singles entering the chart were I'm Too Sexy by Right Said Fred (#67); To Be with You by Mr. Big (#82); I'll Get By by Eddie Money (#85); Every Road Leads Back to You by Bette Midler (#86); There Will Never be Another Tonight by Bryan Adams (#87); Give it Away by Red Hot Chili Peppers (#93); and Live and Let Die by Guns N' Roses (#95).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday--Boyz II Men (2nd week at #1)
2 Black or White--Michael Jackson
3 All 4 Love--Color Me Badd
4 Can't Let Go--Mariah Carey
5 Set Adrift on Memory Bliss--P.M. Dawn
6 Keep Coming Back--Richard Marx
7 No Son of Mine--Genesis
8 Blowing Kisses in the Wind--Paula Abdul
9 Street of Dreams--Nia Peeples
10 Broken Arrow--Rod Stewart

Singles entering the chart were There Will Never be Another Tonight by Bryan Adams (#64); Live and Let Die by Guns N' Roses (#77); I'm Too Sexy by Right Said Fred (#78); Keep it Comin' by Keith Sweat (#79); I Wanna Be Your Girl by Icy Blu (#86); She Ain't Pretty by the Northern Pikes (#87); Stars by Simply Red (#88); and Move Any Mountain (Progen 91) by Shamen (#89).

Canada’s Top 10 (RPM)
1 No Son of Mine--Genesis (2nd week at #1)
2 Black or White--Michael Jackson
3 Broken Arrow--Rod Stewart
4 When a Man Loves a Woman--Michael Bolton
5 Keep Coming Back--Richard Marx
6 Life is a Highway--Tom Cochrane
7 Blowing Kisses in the Wind--Paula Abdul
8 That's What Love is For--Amy Grant
9 Mysterious Ways--U2
10 Set Adrift on Memory Bliss--P.M. Dawn

Singles entering the chart were Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me by George Michael/Elton John (#49); Daniel by Wilson Phillips (#87); Diamonds & Pearls by the Police (#89); Dreams to Dream by Linda Ronstadt (#90); Celebrate by Infidels (#91); and Caribbean Blue by Enya (#94). Dreams to Dream was from the movie An American Tail: Fievel Goes West (1991).

World events
The Commonwealth of Independent States was formed, consisting of Russia; Belarus; Ukraine; Armenia; Azerbaijan; Kazakhstan; Kyrgystan; Moldova; Tajikistan; Turkmenistan; and Uzbekistan. The parliament of Azerbaijan didn't ratify the treaty creating the CIS until 1993.

20 years ago
1996

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (ARIA): Wannabe--Spice Girls (8th week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): One & One--Robert Miles featuring Maria Nayler (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (VRT): One & One--Robert Miles featuring Maria Nayler (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Wallonia (Ultratop 40): Aïcha--Khaled (8th week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Freed from Desire--Gala (9th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Gabbertje--Hakkûhbar (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): A Different Beat--Boyzone

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Un-Break My Heart--Toni Braxton (3rd week at #1)
2 I Believe I Can Fly--R. Kelly
3 No Diggity--BLACKstreet (featuring Dr. Dre)
4 Don't Let Go (Love)--En Vogue
5 Nobody--Keith Sweat featuring Athena Cage
6 Mouth--Merril Bainbridge
7 It's All Coming Back to Me Now--Celine Dion
8 I Finally Found Someone--Barbra Streisand/Bryan Adams
9 Pony--Ginuwine
10 I'm Still in Love with You--New Edition

Singles entering the chart were Fly Like an Eagle by Seal (#17); Space Jam by Quad City DJ's (#67); Desperately Wanting by Better than Ezra (#70); Macarena Christmas by Los Del Rio (#83); I Can Make it Better by Luther Vandross (#90); and Naked Eye by Luscious Jackson (#96). Fly Like an Eagle and Space Jam were from the movie Space Jam (1996).

Scandal
After two years of denials, U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich (Republican--Georgia) admitted violating House ethics rules.

10 years ago
2006

Died on this date
Saparmurat Niyazov, 66. 1st President of Turkmenistan, 1990-2006. Mr. Niyazov was First Secretary of the Turkmen Communist Party from 1985-1991, and governed Turkmenistan as self-titled Türkmenbaşy (Head of the Turkmen) for the rest of his life. Mr. Niyazov turned his government as a cult of personality, to the extent of renaming the months and days of the calendar after himself and other prominent Turkmen. He died of a reported heart attack, and was succeeded in office by Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow.