December 31, 2017

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Mike Matson!

1,825 years ago
192

Died on this date
Commodus, 31. Roman Emperor, 177-192. Lucius Aurelius Commodus was co-Emperor with his father Marcus Aurelius from 177-180, and reigned alone until his assassination. An attempt at poisoning Commodus was unsuccessful, so his wrestling partner Narcissus strangled him in his bath. Pertinax was named Emperor the next day. Commodus turned his reign as Emperor into a cult of personality, and was not mourned.

160 years ago
1857

Canadiana
Queen Victoria approved the choice of Ottawa as the new capital of the united province of Canada; asked to settle rival claims of Québec, Montréal, Toronto and Kingston, each of which had been temporary capital, she followed the advice of George-Étienne Cartier, who wanted a capital where French Canadians could feel at home, and which was further removed from the potential threat of U.S. invasion.

110 years ago
1907

Americana
Times Square (then known as Longacre Square) in New York City hosted its first New Year's Eve celebration.

100 years ago
1917

Born on this date
Wilfrid Noyce. U.K. mountaineer. Mr. Noyce began climbing mountains in the 1930s, and was part of the expedition that was the first to climb Mount Everest in 1953. He was killed on July 24, 1962 at the age of 44 when he and partner Robin Smith were descending from a successful climb of Mount Garma in the Pamirs in central Asia when one of the two slipped on a layer of soft snow over ice, and they fell 4,000 feet.

Evelyn Knight. U.S. singer. Mrs. Knight was popular from the mid-1940s through the early 1950s. Her singles A Little Bird Told Me and Powder Your Face with Sunshine (Smile! Smile! Smile!) both reached #1 on the Billboard chart in 1948. Mrs. Knight dropped out of show business in her late 30s, and died on September 28, 2007 at the age of 89.

90 years ago
1927

Journalism
Automobile magnate Henry Ford's newspaper The Dearborn Independent published its final edition. From its inception in 1920, the Independent became infamous as a vehicle for the spread of anti-Jewish conspiracy theories. Mr. Ford ceased publication of the paper after recanting his anti-Jewish views.

80 years ago
1937

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Anthony Hopkins! The Academy Award-winning actor was born in Margam, Port Talbot, West Glamorgan, Wales.

75 years ago
1942

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Deep in the Heart of Texas--Gene Autry; Horace Heidt and his Orchestra (1st month at #1)

War
The British Army promoted Indian commander Sir Archibald Wavell and Maltese commander Viscount Gort to field marshal, the highest rank. Russian forces took Oblivskaya, 90 miles west of Stalingrad, and Nizhne-Chirskaya, 30 miles to the east. Allied heavy bombers set two large Japanese ships afire and hit a transport at Rabaul, New Guinea.

Crime
A U.S. grand jury in Suffolk County, Massachusetts indicted 10 men from Boston on charges stemming from the November 28 fire at the Cocoanut Grove nightclub in Boston, in which 492 people died and hundreds were injured.

70 years ago
1947

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Anniversary Song--Al Jolson; Bing Crosby (2nd month at #1)

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Burton Cummings! The former lead singer and songwriter with the Guess Who, who has also had a successful solo career, was born in Winnipeg.

Died on this date
Albert Grzesinski, 68. German politician. Mr. Grzesinski, born Albert Lehmann, was a member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), and was Minister of the Interior of Prussia from 1926-1930. He was President of the Prussian Police (1922-1924) and President of the Berlin Police (1925-1926, 1930-1932). During his second term as Police President of Berlin, Mr. Grzesinski attempted to have Adolf Hitler deported as an undesirable alien, but German Chancellor Heinrich Brüning refused to sign the order. Mr. Grzesinski was deprived of his position following the Prussian Coup later in 1932, and was stripped of his citizenship after the Nazis came to power in Germany in 1933. He moved to Switzerland, then France, and finally the United States, and was active in anti-Nazi organizations.

War
Nationalist Chinese forces battled Communists in an effort to retain control over the Manchurian industrial city of Mukden and its rail link with the south, while Communist troops attacked opposite ends of the vital Peking-Hankow railroad.

Defense
General Clifton Cates took office as Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, succeeding General Alexander Vandergrift.

Economics and finance
The French National Assembly completed work on a $7-billion anti-inflation budget for 1948, while the government raised the national minimum wage by 23.5%.

Science
The American Association for the Advancement of Science gave its annual $1,000 award to Professor Harrison Brown of the University of Chicago for an analysis of meteorites indicating that most extraterrestrial matter that lands on Earth was once part of a planet orbiting between Mars and Jupiter.

Sport
The U.S. Amateur Athletic Union named sculls champion John Kelly, Jr. as the winner of the James E. Sullivan Trophy for the outstanding amateur athlete of 1947.

60 years ago
1957

Diplomacy
The British government of Prime Minister Harold Macmillan rejected Soviet proposals for East-West summit talks and backed North Atlantic Treaty Organization suggestions for talks at the foreign ministers level.

Politics and government
Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion announced his resignation after two small coalition parties rejected plans to expand contacts with West Germany.

Economics and finance
Chase Manhattan Bank ended 1957 with resources totalling $7.8 billion, making it the largest bank in New York City.

Disasters
Reports from flood-ravaged Ceylon indicated that more than 300 inhabitants had died and nearly 400,000 tons of rice (three-quarters of the country's total output) had been lost.

Sport
The U.S. Amateur Athletic Union named sprinting champion Bobby Morrow of Abilene Christian College as the winner of the James E. Sullivan Trophy for the outstanding amateur athlete of 1957.

50 years ago
1967

Died on this date
Rodger Penzabene, 23. U.S. songwriter. Mr. Penzabene wrote lyrics for several Motown hits in the late 1960s, including The End of Our Road for Gladys Knight & the Pips, and You're My Everything for the Temptations. In 1967 Mr. Penzabene found out that his wife, whom he loved very much, was cheating on him. The pain he felt led him to write the lyrics to I Wish it Would Rain and I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You), which became hit singles for the Temptations in 1968. Mr. Penzabene was in tears as he sat in the studio listening to David Ruffin sing I Wish it Would Rain. I Wish it Would Rain was released as a single on December 21, 1967; Rodger Penzabene committed suicide ten days later, and didn't live long enough to see the song hit #1 on the Billboard rhythm and blues chart (and #4 on the Hot 100).

War
Shortly after nine American soldiers were killed in a Viet Cong ambush, U.S. and South Vietnamese forces in Vietnam began a 36-hour cease-fire.

Football
NFL
Championship
Dallas 17 @ Green Bay 21

Bart Starr's 1-yard quarterback sneak for a touchdown in the final seconds gave the Packers their win over the Dallas Cowboys in one of the most famous games in NFL history (see video). Mr. Starr's touchdown finished a 68-yard, four-minute drive. The temperature at game time was -13 F., with an estimated windchill of -46, resulting in the game being nicknamed "The Ice Bowl." 50,861 fans braved the conditions at Lambeau Field. An underground "electric blanket" of heated coils purchased by Vince Lombardi for just such an occasion failed to work, leaving the field rock-hard. The Packers took an early 14-0 lead on two touchdown passes from Starr to Boyd Dowler, before George Andrie returned a Starr fumble for a Dallas touchdown to get the Cowboys back into the game. Danny Villanueva kicked a field goal for the Cowboys to make it 14-10, before Dan Reeves connected on an option pass to Lance Rentzel for a 50-yard score to give the Cowboys a 17-14 lead in the 4th quarter. The game turned out to be the last home game for Vince Lombardi as head coach of the Packers.

AFL
Championship
Houston 7 @ Oakland 40

Daryle Lamonica threw touchdown passes to Dave Kocourek (on a fake field goal) and Bill Miller, Hewritt Dixon rushed 69 yards for another Raider score, and George Blanda added four field goals as the Raiders routed the Oilers before 53,330 fans at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Houston scored on a pass from Pete Beathard to Charley Frazier. John Rauch, the victorious head coach, had led the Raiders to a 13-1 regular season record.



40 years ago
1977

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): Solo Tu--Matia Bazar (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Belfast--Boney M. (7th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (Veronica Top 40): Mull of Kintyre--Wings (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland: Mull of Kintyre--Wings (4th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Mull of Kintyre/Girls' School--Wings (5th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): How Deep is Your Love--Bee Gees (2nd week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 How Deep is Your Love--Bee Gees (3rd week at #1)
2 Blue Bayou--Linda Ronstadt
3 Baby Come Back--Player
4 Sentimental Lady--Bob Welch
5 You Light Up My Life--Debby Boone
6 You're in My Heart (The Final Acclaim)--Rod Stewart
7 (Every Time I Turn Around) Back in Love Again--L.T.D.
8 Slip Slidin' Away--Paul Simon
9 Here You Come Again--Dolly Parton
10 Short People--Randy Newman

Singles entering the chart were Lay Down Sally by Eric Clapton (#84); The Loneliest Man on the Moon by David Castle (#90); Ain't Gonna Hurt Nobody by Brick (#98); Come Go with Me by the Pockets (#99); and Galaxy by War (#100).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 How Deep is Your Love--Bee Gees (2nd week at #1)
2 Blue Bayou--Linda Ronstadt
3 Don't it Make My Brown Eyes Blue--Crystal Gayle
4 Baby, What a Big Surprise--Chicago
5 We're All Alone--Rita Coolidge
6 Sometimes When We Touch--Dan Hill
7 You Make Loving Fun--Fleetwood Mac
8 Isn't it Time--The Babys
9 It's So Easy--Linda Ronstadt
10 You Light Up My Life--Debby Boone

Singles entering the chart were Baby Blue by Chilliwack (#90); Sweet Music Man by Kenny Rogers (#91); Ffun by Con Funk Shun (#93); Back to the City by Patsy Gallant (#97); Red Rubber Ball by the Diodes (#98); Never Seem to Get Along by Ronney Abramson (#99); and Reach for It by George Duke (#100).

Music
Guy Lombardo's Royal Canadians played at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York, the band's first New Year's Eve performance since Mr. Lombardo's death on November 5, 1977.

Diplomacy
Accusing Vietnam of "ferocious and barbarous aggression," the Cambodian government severed relations with its ally and gave Vietnamese until January 7, 1978 to leave the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh. The action stemmed from fierce border fighting early in December, when Vietnamese forces occupied the "Parrot's Beak" area of Cambodia, after a Cambodian raid into Tay Ninh province that killed or injured 2,000 people.

Hockey
NHL
Montreal 4 @ New York Islanders 2
Atlanta 3 @ Toronto 0

World Junior Championships
Canada 5 CSSR 3

Football
NCAA
Sun Bowl
Stanford 24 Louisiana State 14

Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl
Southern California 47 Texas A&M 28

30 years ago
1987

Hit parade
#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Never Gonna Give You Up--Rick Astley (4th week at #1)

Died on this date
Jerry Turner, 58. U.S. newscaster. Mr. Turner was the anchorman at television station WJZ in Baltimore from 1962 until his death from throat cancer.

Politics and government
Robert Mugabe was sworn in as President of Zimbabwe, replacing Canaan Banana as head of state.

25 years ago
1992

Hit parade
#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): I Will Always Love You--Whitney Houston (5th week at #1)

20 years ago
1997

Died on this date
Billie Dove, 94. U.S. actress. Miss Dove, born Bertha Bohny, was one of the most popular leading ladies of the 1920s, in movies such as The Black Pirate (1926) and The American Beauty (1927). She retired from acting in 1932.

Floyd Cramer, 64. U.S. musician. Mr. Cramer was a country music pianist who helped to create the "Nashville sound" in the 1950s and '60s. He performed on many of Elvis Presley's recordings before achieving success on his own with singles such as Last Date (1960) and On the Rebound (1961). Mr. Cramer died of lung cancer.

Weather
In the early afternoon, it was above freezing with no snow in Edmonton, and it was so warm that I saw someone raking leaves. In typical Alberta fashion, by evening the snow had moved in, and the windchill had dropped to about -20. The weather stayed that way for a couple of weeks before warming up nicely. We were still better off than people in the eastern parts of Canada and the United States, who suffered through a disastrous ice storm in the early days of 1998.

10 years ago
2007

Died on this date
Bill Idelson, 88. U.S. actor and writer. Mr. Idelson appeared in radio comedy series such as Vic and Sade, and played Herman Glimscher, a recurring character in the television comedy series The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961-1966). He also achieved success writing for television, but was less successful in producing several series.

December 30, 2017

125 years ago
1892

Religion
The New York Presbytery of the U.S. Presbyterian Church, by majorities ranging from 7 to 21, voted to dismiss charges of heresy against Professor Briggs.

120 years ago
1897

Africana
The British colony of Natal annexed Zululand.

90 years ago
1927

Transportation
The Ginza Line, the first subway line in Asia, opened in Tokyo.

75 years ago
1942

War
U.K. Parliamentary Colonial Undersecretary Harold Macmillan was named by the British government as resident minister at Allied headquarters in French North Africa. Russian troops captured Remontnoe, 40 miles southwest of Elista, capital of the province of Kalmuck.

Diplomacy
At the request of President Juan Antonio Rios, the Chilean Senate postponed voting on a motion recommending a break in relations with the Axis.

Crime
French High Commissioner in Africa General H.H. Giraud announced in Algiers the arrest of 12 people for plotting to assassinate high French officials.

A U.S. federal jury in New York indicted four Negro leaders of the Ethiopian Pacific Movement of sedition for advocating a revolt against the United States.

Business
Henry J. Kaiser opened the U.S. Pacific Coast's first integrated iron and steel plant at Fontana, California.

Disasters
A sudden thaw and a three-day storm caused the Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers to rise above flood levels, closing many plants in the Pittsburgh area and driving 5,000 people from their homes.

70 years ago
1947

Died on this date
Alfred North Whitehead, 86. U.K.-born U.S. philosopher. Professor Whitehead and former student Bertrand Russell combined to write the three-volume Principia Mathematica (1910-1913), one of the most influential works in mathematical logic. Professor Whitehead moved to the United States in 1924 and joined the faculty of Harvard University, where his attention eventually turned to philosophy and metaphysics. Professor Whitehead was the defining figure of process philosophy, arguing that reality consists of processes rather than material objects, and that processes are best defined by their relations with other processes. The newspaper comic panel Our Boarding House contained an occasional character who was a professor named Alfred North Blankhead.

Han van Meegeren, 58. Dutch artist and forger. Mr. van Meegeren had limited success with his own paintings, but achieved great success as a forger of the paintings of Johannes Vermeer, making fools of the idiot art critics who thought the paintings were actual Vermeers, and even selling one of his forgeries to Nazi Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring. Mr. van Meegeren was convicted on November 12, 1947 of forgery and fraud, and was sentenced to a year in prison; he suffered a heart attack on November 26, and died in hospital the day after another heart attack.

Augustin Zoroa Sanchez; Lucas Nunez Baos. Spanish political activists. Messrs. Sanchez and Baso were executed by the Spanish government after being accused of illegal underground activity.

Radio
The Hooperatings listed the most popular programs in the United States as Fibber McGee and Molly, followed by Jack Benny; Fred Allen; Charlie McCarthy; Radio Theatre; and Red Skelton.

Abominations
King Michael I of Romania, the last remaining monarch in eastern Europe, abdicated, claiming that the monarchy "does not correspond to the conditions of our state's life," and represented "a serious impediment to Romania's development." Parliament immediately voted to abolish the monarchy, and proclaimed a "People's Republic."

Terrorism
Palestinian Arabs killed 41 Jews in reprisal for the Irgun Zvai Leumi bombing of an oil refinery in Haifa, which had killed 6 people.

Crime
Former Burmese Prime Minister U Saw and eight associates were convicted in Rangoon and sentenced to death for the July 19, 1947 assassination of Prime Minister Aung San and six cabinet ministers.

Defense
Brazilian President Eurico Dutra signed a measure fixing the number of enlisted personnel in the peacetime armed forces at 172,000.

Politics and government
The Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a district court ruling barring all-white primaries in South Carolina.

Economics and finance
General Lucius Clay of the U.S. military government in Germany urged elimination of trade and travel barriers between the American and French zones.

Energy
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ordered the reorganization and ultimate dissolution of Public Service Corporation of New Jersey, one of the nation's largest energy and transportation holding companies. The Commission also approved construction of a $104-million pipeline to carry natural gas from Texas to the Midwest.

60 years ago
1957

Hit parade
#1 singles in the U.S.A. (Billboard): April Love/When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano--Pat Boone (Best Seller--2nd week at #1); April Love--Pat Boone (Disc Jockey--3rd week at #1; Top 100--1st week at #1)

Married on this date
Kwame Nkrumah, Prime Minister of Ghana, married Fathia Halen Ritzk, an Egyptian student, in Accra.

Diplomacy
U.S. envoy to the U.S.S.R. William Lacey and U.S.S.R. Ambassador to the U.S.A. Georgi Zarubin reached agreements "in principle" on an expanded program of cultural and scientific exchanges for 1958.

Defense
Boeing Aircraft Company in Seattle completed the first 2,000-mile-per-hour Bomarc interceptor missile under a $139-million U.S. Air Force contract.

Politics and government
Carlos Garcia took office as President of the Philippines.

Education
U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower approved a $1-billion, four-year program of federal aid to education "to meet the pressing demands of national security in the years ahead."

Society
New York Mayor Robert Wagner signed a bill banning racial or religious discrimination in private housing.

Labour
The Maltese Parliament approved a resolution favouring independence from the United Kingdom if the British government did not provide substitute employment for Maltese thrown out of work because of economy cuts in naval shipyard operations in Malta.

50 years ago
1967

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Snoopy's Christmas--The Royal Guardsmen (2nd week at #1_

#1 single in France: San Francisco--Johnny Hallyday

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): L'ora dell'amore--I Camaleonti (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): (The Lights Went Out In) Massachusetts--The Bee Gees (6th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Hello Goodbye--The Beatles (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Treat Me Daughter Kindly--Pat Lynch (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Hello Goodbye--The Beatles (4th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Hello Goodbye--The Beatles

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Hello Goodbye--The Beatles
2 Daydream Believer--The Monkees
3 I Heard it Through the Grapevine--Gladys Knight & the Pips
4 Woman, Woman--The Union Gap
5 Chain of Fools--Aretha Franklin
6 I Second that Emotion--Smokey Robinson and the Miracles
7 Bend Me, Shape Me--The American Breed
8 Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)--John Fred and his Playboy Band
9 Boogaloo Down Broadway--Fantastic Johnny C
10 Snoopy's Christmas--The Royal Guardsmen

Singles entering the chart were She's a Rainbow by the Rolling Stones (#51); Tomorrow by Strawberry Alarm Clock (#71); Just as Much as Ever by Bobby Vinton (#79); Oh, How it Hurts by Barbara Mason (#86); I'm Coming Home by Tom Jones (#87); Foxey Lady by the Jimi Hendrix Experience (#91); Love is Blue (L’Amour est Bleu) by Paul Mauriat and his Orchestra (#92); Mockingbird by Aretha Franklin (#94); Up Tight, Good Man by Laura Lee (#97); Zabadak! by Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich (#98); Break My Mind by Bobby Wood (#99); and Mr. Bus Driver by Bruce Channel (#100).

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Hello Goodbye--The Beatles (2nd week at #1)
2 Daydream Believer--The Monkees
3 Next Plane to London--The Rose Garden
4 Woman, Woman--The Union Gap
5 She's My Girl--The Turtles
6 I Heard it Through the Grapevine--Gladys Knight & the Pips
7 Itchycoo Park--Small Faces
8 Stag-O-Lee--Wilson Pickett
9 By the Time I Get to Phoenix--Glen Campbell
10 Summer Rain--Johnny Rivers

Singles entering the chart were I Wonder What She's Doing Tonite by Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart (#71); Mockingbird by Aretha Franklin (#79); Darlin' by the Beach Boys (#87); Bird Without Wings by 3's a Crowd (#91); The Lesson by Vikki Carr (#92); Come See About Me by Jr. Walker & the All Stars (#93); Mr. Bus Driver by Bruce Channel (#94); Foxey Lady by the Jimi Hendrix Experience (#95); Shout by Lulu (#96); Here Comes Heaven by Eddy Arnold (#97); What a Strange Town by Jimmie Rodgers (#98); Something Missing by the Five Stairsteps and Cubie (#99); and Skip a Rope by Henson Cargill (#100).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CKLG)
1 Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)--John Fred and his Playboy Band
2 Woman, Woman--The Union Gap
3 Love of the Common People--Wayne Newton
4 Do Unto Others/Peace of Mind--Paul Revere and the Raiders
5 Different Drum--Stone Poneys
6 Bend Me, Shape Me--The American Breed
7 Hello Goodbye/I Am the Walrus--The Beatles
8 She's a Rainbow--The Rolling Stones
9 Wear Your Love Like Heaven--Donovan
10 What's it Gonna Be--Dusty Springfield

Singles entering the chart were Green Tambourine by the Lemon Pipers (#27); Tomorrow by Strawberry Alarm Clock (#28); I Wonder What She's Doing Tonite by Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart (#29); and Bird Without Wings by 3's a Crowd (#30).

Died on this date
Vincent Massey, 80. Governor-General of Canada, 1952-1959. Mr. Massey was a career diplomat before becoming Canada's first native-born Governor General, and became the country's first envoy with full diplomatic credentials to a foreign capital when he was appointed Canadian Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the United States in 1926. He held that position until 1930, and then served as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 1935-1946 and as Canada's delegate to the League of Nations until 1936. As Governor General, Mr. Massey encouraged arts and culture, and recommended a distinctly Canadian honours system. He died while on holiday in London.

Charlie Conacher, 58. Canadian hockey player. Mr. Conacher, Joe Primeau, and Harvey "Busher" Jackson comprised the "Kid Line" with the Toronto Maple Leafs in the early 1930s, with Mr. Conacher on right wing. He played with the Maple Leafs (1929-38); Detroit Red Wings (1938-39); and New York Americans (1939-41), scoring 398 points on 225 goals and 173 assists in 459 regular season games and 17 goals and 18 assists in 49 playoff games. Mr. Conacher led the National Hockey League five times in goals, twice in scoring, and made the first or second All-Star team five times. He coached the Chicago Black Hawks from 1947-50, with little success. Mr. Conacher was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1961, and Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 1975. He died of throat cancer, 10 days after his 58th birthday.

Messrs. Conacher and Massey both had famous brothers. Charlie's older brother Lionel Conacher was voted Canada's Athlete of the Half-Century in 1950, and younger brother Roy, like the others, is in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Vincent's younger brother Raymond Massey had a long and distinguished acting career; although he didn't become Governor General of Canada, he played a future President of the United States when he starred in Abe Lincoln in Illinois on stage (1938) and screen (1940).

Diplomacy
U.S. Vice President Hubert Humphrey arrived in Ivory Coast to begin a 13-day tour of Africa.

Football
NCAA
Gator Bowl @ Jacksonville
Penn State 17 Florida State 17

Sun Bowl @ El Paso, Texas
Texas @ El Paso 14 Mississippi 7

All-Star Shrine Game @ San Francisco
East 16 West 14

40 years ago
1977

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Yes Sir, I Can Boogie--Baccara (20th week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood--Santa Esmeralda (7th week at #1)

#1 single in France: La Java de Broadway--Michel Sardou

Football
NCAA
Gator Bowl
Pittsburgh 34 Clemson 3

30 years ago
1987

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Whenever You Need Somebody--Rick Astley (4th week at #1)

25 years ago
1992

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): House of Love--East 17 (6th week at #1)

Law
Sue Rodriguez, a resident of Victoria who was terminally ill with Lou Gehrig's disease and wanted a doctor-assisted suicide, announced that she would appeal the previous day's British Columbia Supreme Court ruling that the Criminal Code of Canada ban on suicide aid did not violate her rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

20 years ago
1997

Abominations
Several hundred residents in four villages in Algeria were massacred by Islamist insurgents; survivors identified the leader of the assailants as Aoued Abdallah, called "Cheikh Noureddine," head of the Armed Islamic Group (GIA) in western Algeria.

December 29, 2017

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Christine Gotaas!

180 years ago
1837

War
In the Upper Canada Rebellion, Royal Navy Commander Andrew Drew and seven boatloads of Canadian militiamen crossed the Niagara River to Fort Schlosser, New York at night, and captured the American supply steamer Caroline being used by William Lyon Mackenzie and his rebels on Navy Island. The militia set the ship ablaze, cut her adrift and send her toward Niagara Falls; one American is killed in the incident.

100 years ago
1917

Born on this date
Tom Bradley. U.S. politician. Mr. Bradley, a Democrat, was Mayor of Los Angeles from 1973-1993; he was the first Negro to hold the position, and the longest-serving mayor in the city's history. Mr. Bradley was a police officer in Los Angeles from 1940-1961, and a lawyer after that before entering politics. He was the Democratic Party candidate for Governor of California in 1982 and 1986, but lost both times. Mr. Bradley died on September 29, 1998 at the age of 80.

90 years ago
1927

Aviation
French aviators Dieudonne Costes and Joseph Lebrix, in their Breguet biplane Nungesser-Coli, departed La Paz, Bolivia, for Lima, Peru. They had left Paris on October 10 and had gone to Senegal, before crossing the South Atlantic Ocean, landing in Brazil, and visiting other South American cities.

80 years ago
1937

Died on this date
Don Marquis, 59. U.S. writer. Mr. Marquis, an editor and columnist with several newspapers, created the fictional characters "archy and mehitabel."

Politics and government
The Constitution of Ireland went into effect, replacing the Constitution of the Irish Free State that had been in effect since 1922.

75 years ago
1942

Movies
The New York Film Critics Circle announced its awards for 1942: Picture--In Which We Serve; Director--John Farrow (Wake Island); Actor--James Cagney (Yankee Doodle Dandy); Actress--Agnes Moorehead (The Magnificent Ambersons).

War
French Somaliland joined the Free French and the United Nations under an agreement signed in Nairobi. Russian troops recpatued Kotelnikovo, 90 miles southwest of Stalingrad, and occupied Torgovaya, 57 miles southeast of Kotelnikovo.

Crime
The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation accounted for all seven members of the Touhy gang who had escaped from Stateville Prison near Joliet, Illinois on October 9,1942.

Weather
A two-day ice storm struck southern Quebec, with as much as an inch of freezing rain, and winds reaching almost 40 miles per hour, causing several power outages and significant delays in transportation.

70 years ago
1947

At the movies
The Paradine Case, directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Gregory Peck, Alida Valli, Charles Laughton, Ann Todd, and Ethel Barrymore, opened at two theatres in Los Angeles.





Movies
The New York Film Critics Circle announced its awards for 1947: Picture--Gentleman's Agreement; Director--Elia Kazan (Gentleman's Agreement); Actor--William Powell (Life with Father; The Senator was Indiscreet); Actress--Deborah Kerr (Black Narcissus; I See a Dark Stranger); Foreign Language Film: To Live in Peace.

War
Communist forces captured the rail centre of Yungcheng in north-central China.

Terrorism
A bomb planted by Irgun Zvai Leumi at the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem killed 11 Arabs and 2 British soldiers.

Diplomacy
Relations between the United States and Bulgaria were officially restored as U.S. President Harry Truman received Bulgarian Minister Nissim Mevorah.

New York Mayor William O'Dwyer gave a formal reception in City Hall for Tel Aviv Mayor Israel Rokach.

Politics and government
Byron "Boss" Johnson took office as Premier of British Columbia, heading a Liberal-Conservative coalition government. Mr. Johnson, a Liberal, succeeded John Hart, who had resigned, as Liberal Party leader and Premier.

In a speech in Chicago before a rally of Progressive Citizens of America, former U.S. Vice President Henry Wallace announced his intention to run for President in 1948 as a third party candidate, charging that the major parties "stand for a policy which opens the door to war in our lifetime."

French Interior Minister Jules Moch cut off the Communist Party's gasoline ration.

Americana
The National Institute of Arts and Letters in New York formally inducted 11 new members, including composer Virgil Thomson and British poet W.H. Auden.

Economics and finance
The U.S. Agriculture Department released further names of grain traders and speculators, including Utah Governor Herbert Maw and President Truman's personal physician, General Wallace Graham.

60 years ago
1957

On television tonight
Alfred Hitchcock Presents, on CBS
Tonight's episode: Night of the Execution, starring Pat Hingle, Georgann Johnson, and Russell Collins

Died on this date
Ezio Selva, 56. Italian speedboat racing driver. Mr. Selva was killed when his boat Moschettiere overturned during the Orange Bowl Regatta Grand Prix in Biscayne Bay near Miami Beach, Florida; he was in his fourth year of competition in the event and had yet to win, stating beforehand that this would be his last race.

Married on this date
Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme. The U.S. singers were married in Las Vegas.

Diplomacy
The government of East Germany announced that all Western diplomats entering its territory would need East German rather than Soviet visas.

Politics and government
The Chinese Communist Party suspended its drive against rightists, claiming that they were now in "complete isolation."

Disasters
U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower dispatched the aircraft carrier USS Princeton, the destroyers USS Henderson and USS Sutherland, and the seaplane tender USS Duxbury Bay to aid 325,000 people left homeless following floods in Ceylon.

Football
NFL
Championship
Cleveland 14 @ Detroit 59

The Lions routed the Browns before 55,263 fans at Briggs Stadium to win their third National Football League championship in six years. Tobin Rote, who had split the quarterbacking duties with Bobby Layne before Mr. Layne broke his leg late in the season, completed 12 of 19 passes for 280 yards and 4 touchdowns, and rushed 7 times for 27 yards. Steve Junker caught 5 passes for 109 yards and 2 touchdowns for the Lions. The game was virtually over by halftime, with the Lions having built up a 31-7 lead. The Browns scored early in the third quarter, but Mr. Rote answered with a 78-yard scoring strike to Jim Doran to put the game away. Rookie (and league rushing champion) Jim Brown carried 20 times for 69 yards and ran 29 yards for the Browns' first score in the second quarter. George Wilson was in his first year as head coach of the Lions, having taken over when Buddy Parker suddenly quit two days before the first pre-season game, complaining that the 1957 Lions were the worst team he'd ever seen in training. To get to the championship game, the Lions had to get past the San Francisco 49ers in a playoff for the Western Conference title. Y.A. Tittle passed the 49ers to a 27-7 halftime lead, but the Lions came back for a 31-27 win. The 1957 championship remains the Lions' most recent title, and Messrs. Layne and Rote are now dead.





50 years ago
1967

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand: Snoopy's Christmas--The Royal Guardsmen (2nd week at #1)

Edmonton's Top 10 (CJCA)
1 Hello Goodbye--The Beatles
2 Daydream Believer--The Monkees
3 Next Plane to London--The Rose Garden
4 Bottle of Wine--The Fireballs
5 (The Lights Went Out In) Massachusetts--The Bee Gees
6 (Alone) In My Room--Willie and the Walkers
7 Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)--John Fred and his Playboy Band
8 Neon Rainbow--The Box Tops
9 Jezebel--The Witness Inc.
10 Different Drum--Stone Poneys
Pick hit of the Week: Some Velvet Morning--Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood
New this week: Zabadak!--Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich
She Says--49th Parallel
My Baby Must Be a Magician--The Marvelettes
Deep in the Night--The Candymen
Cherie--James Darren

Died on this date
Paul Whiteman, 77. U.S. bandleader. Mr. Whiteman was known as the "King of Jazz" (he starred in a 1930 movie by that title), with his peak occurring from about 1920-1933. His orchestra included such names as Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey, Bix Beiderbecke, Bing Crosby, and Ferde Grofe. Mr. Whiteman died of a heart attack.

Canadiana
The Ottawa Civic Centre, an arena and exhibition hall adjacent to Lansdowne Park, was officially opened.

Law
The Canadian Parliament abolished capital punishment for murder, except for the murders of police officers and prison guards, for a trial period of five years.

Disasters
Nine children died in a house fire in Mont Laurier, Quebec.

Nine people died and 30,000 were reported homeless in a flood in Brazil.

40 years ago
1977

On television tonight
James at 15, starring Lance Kerwin, on NBC
Tonight's episode: Mrs. Carson

Class of '65, starring Tony Bill, on NBC
Tonight's episode: The Girl Nobody Knew

Diplomacy
U.S. President Jimmy Carter, in Poland on the first day of his nine-day, seven-nation world tour, experienced an embarrassing incident when a State Department interpreter mistranslated his remarks into Polish so that Mr. Carter seemed to have "abandoned" (left) Washington, and spoke of the "lusts" (desires) of the Polish people.

25 years ago
1992

Law
The Supreme Court of British Columbia denied doctor-assisted suicide to terminally ill patient Sue Rodriguez.

Politics and government
Brazilian President Fernando Collor de Mello tried to resign amidst corruption charges, but was then impeached, anyway.

Environment
Canadian Fisheries Minister John Crosbie announced a ban on the export of beluga whales, after a pair died in a Chicago aquarium.

20 years ago
1997

Health
Hong Kong began to kill all the nation's 1.25 million chickens to stop the spread of a potentially deadly influenza strain.

Business
Kmart, having trouble competing with WalMart, announced the closure of 10 stores across Canada.

Sport
Auto racing driver Jacques Villeneuve, Formula One world driving champion, was named the winner of the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada's most outstanding athlete of 1997.

10 years ago
2007

Football
NFL
The New England Patriots became the first National Football League team in 35 years to finish the regular season undefeated when they beat the New York Giants 38-35 to go 16-0. The 1972 Miami Dolphins posted a 14-0 record.

December 28, 2017

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Heather Pick!

150 years ago
1867

Americana
The United States claimed Midway Atoll, the first territory annexed outside continental limits.

125 years ago
1892

Boxing
Billy Plimmer (16-1-1) of England scored a technical knockout of Joe McGrath (8-1-1) of Ireland in the 8th round at Seaside Athletic Club in Brooklyn, New York to win the world 110-pound title. Mr. McGrath was knocked down 4 times in round 6 and numerous times in round 7, and his second eventually threw up the sponge.

120 years ago
1897

Theatre
Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand, starring Constant Coquelin, received its premiere performance at the Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin in Paris.

100 years ago
1917

Died on this date
Eddie McKay, 25. Canadian military aviator. Captain McKay, a native of Brussels, Ontario, was a flying ace with the U.K. Royal Flying Corps in World War I. He recorded 10 combat victories before being fatally shot down over Belgium on December 28, 1917, the day after his 25th birthday.

80 years ago
1937

Died on this date
Maurice Ravel, 62. French composer. One of the greatest of French composers, Mr. Ravel's works included Pavane pour une infante défunte (1899); Daphnis et Chloé (1909-1912); Boléro (1928) and Piano Concerto for the Left Hand (1929-1930).

75 years ago
1942

Died on this date
Nevile Henderson, 60. U.K. diplomat. Sir Nevile was Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of Yugoslavia (1929-1935) and Ambassador to Argentina (1935-1937), but was best known for serving as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Germany (1937-1939). Sir Nevile supported the policy of appeasement, and believed that German Fuehrer Adolf Hitler could be moved toward peace and cooperation with Western powers; he was mistaken. Sir Nevile's service ended on September 7, 1939, four days after Britain and Germany entered into a state of war; he was not given another ambassadorial post, and died after a four-year battle with cancer.

War
Vichy radio broadcast a speech by French Prime Minister Marshal Philippe Petain in which he denounced French African leaders "who have betrayed French Africa to the British and Americans." Advancing nearly 16 miles, Soviet forces took towns on both sides of the southern anchor of the Germans' Stalingrad line. In a night attack on Rabaul, New Britain, Allied bombers sank or set fire to four Japanese ships.

Economics and finance
U.S. Rubber Director William Jeffers said that the first four government butadiene rubber factories would begin production in January 1943 with a potential annual output of 80,000 tons.

70 years ago
1947

On the radio
The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring John Stanley and Alfred Shirley, on MBS
Tonight's episode:  New Year's Eve Off the Scilly Isles

Died on this date
Victor Emmanuel III, 78. King of Italy, 1900-1946. Victor Emmanuel III came to the throne upon the assassination of his father Umberto I, and promoted constitutional government until the 1920s, when Benito Mussolini became leader of a Fascist dictatorship. King Victor Emmanuel's decisions to assume the titles Emperor of Ethiopia (1936-1941) and King of the Albanians (1939-1943) weren't recognized abroad, and proved unpopular at home. After World War II, a referendum was to be held in Italy on whether to abolish the monarchy; Victor Emmanuel III abdicated the throne in favour of his son Umberto II in an attempt to regain popular support for the monarchy. The move failed, and the royal family was forced to leave the country when the monarchy was abolished. Victor Emmanuel was welcomed into Egypt, and died in Alexandria of pulmonary edema. The remains of King Victor Emmanuel III were repatriated to Italy on December 17, 2017 and interred in sanctuary of Vicoforte, near Turin, next to the remains of his consort, Queen Elena, whose remains had been transferred from France two days earlier.

Diplomacy
Jewish Agency for Palestine leader Moshe Sneh resigned from the organization's executive board, complaining of undue emphasis on relations with the Western powers and insufficient attention to the U.S.S.R.

Football
NFL
Championship
Philadelphia 21 @ Chicago Cardinals 28

Before 30,759 fans at Comiskey Park, the hometown Cardinals defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 28-21 for the National Football League championship. The Cardinals were led by the Dream Backfield of quarterback Paul Christman, fullback Pat Harder, and halfbacks Charlie Trippi and Elmer Angsman. It was the latter two whose big plays proved to be the difference in the championship game. Trippi rushed 44 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter, and returned a punt 75 yards for another TD in the third quarter. Mr. Angsman scored on a 10-yard rush in the second quarter, and on a 70-yard rush midway through the fourth quarter. Eagle touchdowns were scored by Pat McHugh (on a 70-yard pass from quarterback Tommy Thompson), Steve Van Buren, and Russ Craft. Jimmy Conzelman was the victorious coach. One of his players, defensive end Pop Ivy, went on to coach the Edmonton Eskimos to consecutive Grey Cup championships in 1954-55-56 before returning to coach the Cardinals from 1958-61, and the Houston Oilers in 1962-63. The 1947 title remains the second and last won by the Cardinals, who moved to St. Louis in 1960 and then to Phoenix in 1988. The Eagles recovered from their 1947 defeat to win the championship in 1948 and 1949.



60 years ago
1957

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Diana--Paul Anka (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Wo meine Sonne scheint--Caterina Valente (2nd week at #1)

U.S. top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Raunchy--Bill Justis and his Orchestra (2nd week at #1)
--Ernie Freeman
2 At the Hop--Danny and the Juniors
3 You Send Me--Sam Cooke
4 Great Balls of Fire--Jerry Lee Lewis
5 April Love--Pat Boone
6 Peggy Sue--Buddy Holly
7 Kisses Sweeter than Wine--Jimmie Rodgers
8 Jailhouse Rock--Elvis Presley
9 All the Way--Frank Sinatra
10 Chances Are--Johnny Mathis

Singles entering the chart were Stood Up (#36)/Waitin' in School (#40) by Ricky Nelson; The Stroll by the Diamonds (#39); Sugartime by the McGuire Sisters (#45); Uh-Huh--mmm by Sonny James (#47); La Dee Dah by Billy and Lillie (#48); You're the Greatest by Billy Scott (#54); Don't Let Go by Roy Hamilton (#55); and Oh Julie by the Crescendos (#57).

Defense
U.S. Vice President Richard Nixon indicated that he felt that bombers rather than missiles would be the decisive strategic weapon for an appreciable time.

Economics and finance
The U.S. National Planning Association estimated that the U.S. economy could take a $10-billion annual increase in defense spending by 1960 without a tax increase.

Health
The Stanley abattoir in Liverpool, one of the largest in the United Kingdom, was closed after eight suspected cases of foot-and-mouth disease were found in carcasses and 10 more were found in cattle waiting to be slaughtered.

Tennis
Australia retained the Davis Cup when the team of Mal Anderson, Ashley Cooper, and Mervyn Rose defeated the U.S. team of Vic Seixas and Barry MacKay 3 matches to 2 in Melbourne.

50 years ago
1967

Hit parade
#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Love You Tokyo--Los Primos (7th week at #1)

On television tonight
Dragnet 1968, starring Jack Webb and Harry Morgan, on NBC
Tonight's episode: The Big Shipment



40 years ago
1977

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Mull of Kintyre--Wings (5th week at #1)

Politics and government
U.S. President Jimmy Carter appointed James T. McIntyre as Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Mr. McIntyre had been deputy to Bert Lance, who had resigned on September 21 amid allegations of improprieties in holdings of stock in the National Bank of Georgia. Mr. McIntyre has served as acting OMB Director since Mr. Lance's resignation.

Economics and finance
U.S. President Carter announced that he would replace Federal Reserve Board Chairman Arthur Burns with G. William Miller, chairman of Rhode Island-based manufacturer Textron, Inc. Dr. Burns, whose seven-year term as Chairman expired on January 31, 1978, was a fiscal conservative and vocal critic of the Carter administration's economic policies, and had recently clashed with the White House over the Board's policies of tightening interest rates.

Hockey
NHL
Super Series '78
Spartak 0 @ Vancouver 2

The Canucks defeated Spartak 2-0 at the Pacific Coliseum as part of an exhibition series between National Hocley League clubs and the Czechoslovakian clubs Pardubice and Kladno, and the Soviet club Spartak.

World Junior Championships
U.S.S.R. 3 Canada 2

30 years ago
1987

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Australian Music Report): Never Gonna Give You Up--Rick Astley (5th week at #1)

25 years ago
1992

Hit parade
#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Help Us Back Home Sarajevo--Colours (2nd week at #1)

Died on this date
Pudlo Pudlat, 76. Canadian artist. Mr. Pudlat, from Cape Dorset, Nunavut, was the first Inuit artist to have a one-person show at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa.

Sal Maglie, 75. U.S. baseball pitcher. Mr. Maglie pitched in the major leagues with the New York Giants (1945, 1950-1955); Cleveland Indians (1955-1956); Brooklyn Dodgers (1956-1957); New York Yankees (1957-1958); and St. Louis Cardinals (1958), compiling a record of 119 wins and 62 losses for a winning percentage of .657. After his rookie year, he jumped to the Mexican League in 1946 and was one of several players who was banned from returning to the major leagues. The ban was lifted in 1949, and he returned to the Giants in 1950; Mr. Maglie led the National League that year in earned run average and winning percentage. In 1951 Mr. Maglie and teammate Larry Jansen tied for the NL lead in wins with 23 as the Giants made a late charge to defeat the Dodgers in a 3-game playoff to win the NL pennant. He was known as "The Barber" for giving "close shaves," i.e., pitching inside to hitters, often close to their chins. Mr. Maglie was born and died in Niagara Falls, New York.

20 years ago
1997

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (ARIA): Doctor Jones--Aqua

#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): As Long as You Love Me--Backstreet Boys (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Austria (Ö3): Something About the Way You Look Tonight/Candle in the Wind 1997--Elton John (14th week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Barbie Girl--Aqua (5th week at #1)

Football
NFL
AFC Wild Card Playoff
Miami 3 @ New England 17





NFC Wild Card Playoff
Detroit 10 @ Tampa Bay 20

December 27, 2017

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Marilyn Draper and Ana!

125 years ago
1892

Born on this date
Eddie McKay. Canadian military aviator. Captain McKay, a native of Brussels, Ontario, was a flying ace with the U.K. Royal Flying Corps in World War I. He recorded 10 combat victories before being fatally shot down over Belgium on December 28, 1917, the day after his 25th birthday.

120 years ago
1897

Transportation
The Québec, Montréal, Ottawa and Occidental Railway opened between Montréal and Hull via Lachute, Québec.

Hockey
Stanley Cup
Ottawa Capitals 2 @ Montreal Victorias 15

The Victorias, champions of the Amateur Hockey Association of Canada and defending Stanley Cup champions, routed the Capitals, champions of the Central Canada Hockey Association, at Victoria Rink in what was to be the first game of a best-of-three challenge series. The Victorias were so obviously the better team that the remainder of the series was cancelled.

100 years ago
1917

Born on this date
Buddy Boudreaux. U.S. musician. Mr. Boudreaux was a jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, and bandleader who was known for performing in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in a career that spanned more than 70 years. He co-wrote My Baton Rouge, the city's official song. Mr. Boudreaux died on June 13, 2015 at the age of 97.

90 years ago
1927

Theatre
Show Boat, considered to be the first true American musical play, with music by Jerome Kern and libretto by Oscar Hammerstein II, opened at the Ziegfeld Theatre on Broadway in New York City.

Journalism
The London Daily Mail newspaper published the world's first wire photo, the invention of Winnipeg-born engineer William Stephenson, later know as Intrepid, head of British security in North America during World War II.

Economics and finance
The United States removed the embargo on the export of aircraft to Mexico that had been in effect since January 7, 1924.

75 years ago
1942

War
The German military formed the "Smolensk Committee," an attempt to persuade Soviet prisoners of war to fight for the Nazis against the Soviets. U.S.S.R. forces continued to advance on the Don River front, the Stalingrad front, and in the Nalchik area. U.S. heavy bombers made night raids on Bangkok, hitting the airfield and naval dock area.

Economics and finance
U.S. Food Administrator Claude Wickard ordered Price Administrator Leon Henderson to institute rationing of virtually all canned, dried, frozen, and dehydrated vegetables, fruits, and soups in February 1943.

Disasters
A troop train with 13 coaches plowed into the rear of a Canadian Pacific Railway freight train at Almonte, Ontario, about 135 miles west of Ottawa, killing 36 people and injuring 155. The accident was caused by a lack of automatic signals.

Football
NFL
All-Star Game @ Shibe Park, Philadelphia
All-Stars 17 Washington 14

The All-Stars, coached by Hunk Anderson of the Chicago Bears, edged the champion Redskins before 18,671 fans in the fourth and final game to pit the NFL All-Stars against the recent league champions.

70 years ago
1947

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard) (Best Seller): Ballerina--Vaughn Monroe and his Orchestra (3rd week at #1)

U.S. top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Civilization (Bongo, Bongo, Bongo)--Danny Kaye and the Andrews Sisters
--Louis Prima and his Orchestra
--Jack Smith and the Clark Sisters
--Ray McKinley and his Orchestra
--Woody Herman and his Orchestra
2 Ballerina--Vaughn Monroe and his Orchestra
--Buddy Clark
--Bing Crosby with the Rhythmaires
3 You Do--Vaughn Monroe and his Orchestra
--Bing Crosby and Carmen Cavallaro
--Margaret Whiting
--Dinah Shore
--Vic Damone
4 Too Fat Polka (I Don’t Want Her) (You Can Have Her) (She’s Too Fat for Me)--Arthur Godfrey
5 Near You--Francis Craig and his Orchestra
--Larry Green and his Orchestra
--The Andrews Sisters
--Alvino Rey and his Orchestra
--Elliot Lawrence and his Orchestra
6 Golden Earrings--Peggy Lee
7 How Soon (Will I Be Seeing You)--Vaughn Monroe and his Orchestra
--Jack Owens
--Bing Crosby and Carmen Cavallaro
--Dinah Shore
8 --And Mimi--Art Lund
--Dick Haymes
9 Serenade of the Bells--Sammy Kaye and his "Swing and Sway" Orchestra
--Jo Stafford
--Kay Kyser and his Orchestra
10 I Wish I Didn't Love You So--Vaughn Monroe and his Orchestra
--Dinah Shore
--Dick Haymes
--Betty Hutton

Singles entering the chart were the version of Civilization (Bongo, Bongo, Bongo) by Woody Herman and his Orchestra; the version of Ballerina by Bing Crosby with the Rhythmaires; the version of Serenade of the Bells by Kay Kyser and his Orchestra; Surprise Symphony by Tex Beneke with the Glenn Miller Orchestra (#20); (I’m A-Comin’ A-Courtin’) Corabelle, with versions by Frankie Carle and his Orchestra, and Eddy Howard and his Orchestra (#33); At the Candlelight Cafe, with versions by Dinah Shore, and the Three Suns (#36); and Peggy O'Neil, with versions by Frankie Carle and his Orchestra, and Jack Smith with the Clark Sisters (#38).

On television today
The children's program The Howdy Doody Show debuted on NBC.

World events
A Warsaw court handed down death sentences for Waclaw Lipinski and Wlodzimierz Narszewski, leaders of underground resistance to the Communist-dominated government.

Nationalist Chinese General Feng Yu-hsiang rejected an order from Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek to return to China from a tour of the United States, claiming that Mr. Chiang planned to have him killed.

Politics and government
France's Popular Republican Movement, led by Robert Schuman and Georges Bidault, formally joined with Socialists, Radicals, and moderate independent parties to form the "third force," an alignment aimed at blocking capture of the government by Communists or Gaullists.

The Greek government banned the Communist Party and the Communist militia organization EAM (National Liberation Front).

Pakistani United Nations representative Mohammed Khan was appointed Foreign Minister and Commonwealth Relations Minister.

The U.S. Civil Service Loyalty Review Board announced its standards for testing federal employees, promising to avoid a "witch hunt," but denying political suspects the right to confront their accusers, cross-examine witnesses, or inspect Federal Bureau of Investigation reports.

Economics and finance
The United Kingdom signed a trade agreement with the U.S.S.R., providing for exchange of Soviet grain and British machinery, and reduction of interest on the U.S.S.R.'s $216-million World War II debt to the U.K.

60 years ago
1957

Hit parade
#1 single in France (IFOP): Only You (And You Alone)--The Platters (7th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Mary's Boy Child--Harry Belafonte (6th week at #1)

On television tonight
Harbor Command, starring Wendell Corey
Tonight's episode: Floating Transmitter

Died on this date
Otto Nuschke, 74. German politician. Mr. Nuschke helped to establish the German Democratic Party in 1918, and was Deputy Prime Minister of East Germany from 1949 until his death.

Labour
The Court of Appeal of Quebec ruled unanimously 7-0 in declaring the Rand Formula illegal; the formula allowed a union representing the employees in a bargaining unit to require the employer to withhold union dues payable on a mandatory basis by all staff members of this bargaining unit, even those who were not part of the union.

50 years ago
1967

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (Record Retailer): Hello Goodbye--The Beatles (4th week at #1)

Australia's top 10 (Go-Set)
1 The Last Waltz--Engelbert Humperdinck (9th week at #1)
2 Snoopy's Christmas--The Royal Guardsmen
3 Hello Goodbye/I Am the Walrus--The Beatles
4 (The Lights Went Out In) Massachusetts--The Bee Gees
5 The Way They Play/Cathy Come Home--The Twilights
6 The Two of Us--Jackie Trent and Tony Hatch
7 You've Not Changed--Sandie Shaw
8 My Prayer/Don't Let Your Left Hand Know--The Vibrants
9 There's Always Me/Judy--Elvis Presley
10 Itchycoo Park--Small Faces

Singles entering the chart were Daydream Believer/Goin' Down by the Monkees (#16); World/Sir Geoffrey Saved the World by the Bee Gees (#27); Wild Honey by the Beach Boys (#35); and I'm Coming Home by Tom Jones (#39).

Died on this date
Percy Hodge, 67. U.K. runner. Mr. Hodge won a gold medal in the men's 3000-metre steeplechase event at the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp. He died the day after his 67th birthday.

Paul Lehner, 47. U.S. baseball player. Mr. Lehner was an outfielder with the St. Louis Browns (1946-1949, 1951); Philadelphia Athletics (1950-1951); Chicago White Sox (1951); Cleveland Indians (1951); and Boston Red Sox (1952), batting .257 with 22 home runs and 197 runs batted in in 540 games. After tying a record by playing with four American League teams in 1951, he played with four minor league teams--Oakland Oaks (Pacific Coast League); Seattle Rainiers (PCL); Toronto Maple Leafs (International League); and Indianapolis Indians (American Association)--in addition to 3 games with the Red Sox. Mr. Lehner ended his professional career with the Memphis Chicks of the AA Southern Association in 1953, and died of lymphoma.

Basketball
NBA
William "Red" Holzman was named head coach of the New York Knickerbockers, succeeding Dick McGuire, who was fired after the team started the season with a record of 15-22.

30 years ago
1987

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Faith--George Michael (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: China in Your Hand--T'Pau (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in France: La Bamba--Los Lobos (11th week at #1)

Football
NFL
St. Louis (7-8) 16 @ Dallas (7-8) 21

36,788 fans at Texas Stadium saw the Cardinals play their last game before moving to Phoenix.

25 years ago
1992

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

#1 single in Austria (Ö3): Die da--Die Fantastischen Vier (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Die da--Die Fantastischen Vier (3rd week at #1)

Died on this date
Kay Boyle, 90. U.S. writer. Miss Boyle wrote fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, and was known for her liberal political activism. Her novels included Death of a Man (1936).

Football
NFL
Sterling Sharpe of the Green Bay Packers made six catches against the Minnesota Vikings, giving him a National Football League record of 108 receptions for the season.

20 years ago
1997

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): Tubthumping--Chumbawumba

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): En Navidad--Rosana (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Savoir aimer--Florent Pagny (9th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Barbie Girl--Aqua (8th week at #1)

#1 single in Wallonia (Ultratop 40): Savoir aimer--Florent Pagny (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (Chart Information Network): Too Much--Spice Girls

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Candle in the Wind 1997/Something About the Way You Look Tonight--Elton John (12th week at #1)

Died on this date
Brendan Gill, 83. U.S. journalist. Mr. Gill wrote for The New Yorker for more than 60 years on various subjects, including theatre.

Billy Wright, 37. Northern Irish terrorist. Mr. Wright was associated with the Mid-Ulster Brigade of the Ulster Volunteer Force, and was said to have been involved in the killings of as many as 20 Roman Catholics, although he was never charged in any of them. In 1997 he was convicted of threatening the life of a woman and was sentenced to Maze Prison, where he was shot to death by members of the Irish National Liberation Army.

Football
NFL
NFC Wild Card Playoff
Minnesota 23 @ New York Giants 22



AFC Wild Card Playoff
Jacksonville 17 @ Denver 42







10 years ago
2007

Died on this date
Benazir Bhutto, 54. Prime Minister of Pakistan, 1983-1990, 1993-1996. Ms. Bhutto, the daughter of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, led the Pakistan People's Party from 1982 until her death, and was the first woman to lead a democratic government in a majority Muslim country. She was accused of corruption and spent several years in exile, but returned to Pakistan in 2007 with the intention of competing in the parliamentary elections scheduled for January 2008. Ms. Bhutto was assassinated in Rawalpindi, Punjab, hours after meeting Afghan President Hamid Karzai there. She was waving at crowds from a car when she was shot by an assassin, who detonated a suicide vest. Pakistani authorities blamed the assassination on the Pakistan Taliban, but conspiracy theories abound.

Personal
This blogger began this blog.

Politics and government
Party of National Unity candidate Mwai Kibaki was declared the winner of the Kenyan presidential election, narrowly defeating Orange Democratic Movement candiate Raila Odinga. The ODM led in elections for the National Assembly, taking 99 of 208 seats, to 43 for the PNU. Riots erupted in Mombasa after the result of the presidential election was announced, triggering a political, economic, and humanitarian crisis.

December 26, 2017

180 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.

130 years ago
1887

Politics and government
David Harrison was sworn in as Premier of Manitoba, replacing John Norquay; Mr. Harrison was technically a "non-partisan" Premier, but his ministry was closely aligned with the national Conservative Party of Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald and was dominated by local Conservatives. Mr. Harrison resigned on January 19, 1888 after his support evaporated.

125 years ago
1892

Born on this date
Don Barclay. U.S. actor and artist. Mr. Barclay was a character and voice actor whose movie career spanned more than 50 years. He was more successful as a caricaturist, especially of celebrities. Mr. Barclay died on October 16, 1975 at the age of 82.

100 years ago
1917

Transportation
The U.S. government took over operation of the nation's railroads.

Hockey
NHL
Montreal Canadiens 5 @ Toronto 7

Harry Cameron became the first defenseman to score 4 goals in a game, and the first National Hockey League player to achieve a "Gordie Howe hat trick"--a goal, an assist, and a fight--as he helped the Arenas defeat the Canadiens at Arena Gardens.

90 years ago
1927

Crime
The bruised and strangled body of Chicago widow and apartment house owner Mrs. Amelia Appleby was found sewn in a sack just outside Los Angeles. Dr. Charles M. McMillan, an employee, was convicted by a jury in Los Angeles of murder on February 24, 1928, and four days later was sentenced to life in prison.

75 years ago
1942

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

Died on this date
William Slocum Barstow, 76. U.S. inventor. Mr. Barstow was an associate of Thomas Edison.

Bonnier de la Chapelle, 20. French assassin. Mr. de la Chapelle was executed by a firing squad in Algiers, two days after assassinating French Prime Minister Jean-Francois Darlan.

War
Russian troops drove to within 105 miles of Rostov on the central Don River front and to within 20 miles of Kotelnikovo, southwest of Stalingrad. Swedish sources reported that Germany planned to draft an auxiliary army of 2.5 million men from occupied countries.

Politics and government
The French Imperial Council in Algiers elected General Henri Honore Giraud as French High Commissioner in Africa.

Football
NCAA
Blue-Grey Game
South 24 North 0

70 years ago
1947

At the movies
The Senator was Indiscreet, directed by George S. Kaufman and starring William Powell, Ella Raines, and Peter Lind Hayes, opened in theatres.





War
The Greek Army repelled an attack by 2,000 guerrillas on the road centre of Konitsa near the Albanian border, wanted as a capital by the Communist provisional government.

Speaking in his own defense at the Tokyo war crimes trial, former Japanese Prime Minister Hideki Tojo claimed that war was justified in 1941 because U.S. and U.K. military and economic pressure had brought Japan "to the point of annihilation." He accepted responsibility for Japan's defeat, but denied any war guilt.

Politics and government
Ukrainian Premier Nikita Khrushchev was renamed to his former post of Ukrainian Communist Party Secretary, succeeding Lazar Kaganovich, newly appointed deputy chairman of the Soviet Council of Ministers.

Exploration
An Australian Antarctic expedition set up a base and weather station on Heard Island.

Law
The Argentine Supreme Court ruled that membership in the Communist Party was not sufficient reason for cancelling naturalized citizenship.

Economics and finance
U.S. President Harry Truman named State Secretary George Marshall to supervise the administration of $522 million appropriated for aid to France, Italy, and Austria.

The Bulgarian National Assembly extended its nationalization decree to banks and other financial institutions.

Weather
Heavy snow blanketed the northeastern United States, burying New York City under 25.8 inches of snow in 16 hours; the severe weather was blamed for some 80 deaths.

Disasters
A typhoon struck Manila and eastern Luzon in the Philippines, causing 49 deaths.

60 years ago
1957

At the movies
Stopover Tokyo, directed by Richard L. Breen, and starring Robert Wagner, Joan Collins, and Edmond O'Brien, opened in theatres.



Diplomacy
Delegations from 40 African, Asian, and Middle East nations met in Cairo for an Afro-Asian Peoples' Solidarity Conference, designed to supplement the work of the 1955 Bandung Conference of Asian-African countries.

Dutch diplomatic spokesmen announced that most of the 46,000 Dutch citizens in Indonesia would be evacuated to Holland within the next month.

Politics and government
Former Soviet Machine Construction Minister Yekaterina Furtseva, the only woman on the Communist Party Presidium, resigned her position as Moscow City Communist Party Committee First Secretary to assume new work in the party Secretariat.

50 years ago
1967

On television tonight
The Invaders, starring Roy Thinnes, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Task Force

Magical Mystery Tour, written and directed by, and starring the Beatles, on BBC1

This made-for-television film was shown in black and white in its initial telecast, which may have contributed to the negative reviews it received. It was first shown in its original colour form on BBC2 on January 5, 1968.

Boxing
Buster Mathis (23-0) scored a technical knockout of Gerry de Bruyn (20-7-2) just 36 seconds into the 1st round of a heavyweight bout at Frolundaborg in Gotehenburg, Sweden.



40 years ago
1977

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Mull of Kintyre--Wings (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): UFO--Pink Lady (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Oxygène (Part 4)--Jean Michel Jarre (2nd week at #1)

Died on this date
Howard Hawks, 81. U.S. movie director. Mr. Hawks directed some of the most memorable movies in history in a career spanning more than 40 years. His films included Sergeant York (1941); The Big Sleep (1946); Red River (1948); and Rio Bravo (1959).

Diplomacy
Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin concluded their two-day summit in Ismalia, Egypt produced no declaration of principles for establishing peace in the Middle east, but both men said in separate statements that they felt progress had been made. The traditional stumbling blocks of Israeli troop withdrawal from occupied lands and the establishment of a Palestinian state (which Mr. Sadat called the "crux of the problem") were not resolved, but both sides pledged to continue discussions. Mr. Sadat also announced the upgrading of the procedural conference in Cairo to foreign minister status, and said that two joint committees would begin work in January 1978 on substantive military and political issues. Mr. Begin, who called the summit "successful," presented a 26-point peace plan to Mr. Sadat, which was approved by the Israeli Knesset on December 28.

Hockey
NHL
Super Series '78
Pardubice 1 @ Philadelphia 6

The Flyers easily beat Pardubice at the Spectrum in the first game of an exhibition series between National Hockey League clubs and the Czechoslovakian clubs Pardubice and Kladno and the Soviet club Spartak. The game was televised in Canada on CBC.

Football
NFL
NFC Divisional Playoffs
Chicago 7 @ Dallas 37

See video.

Minnesota 14 @ Los Angeles 7

See video.

30 years ago
1987

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

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Faith--George Michael (6th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): My Baby Just Cares for Me--Nina Simone

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Fairytale of New York--The Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): When I Fall in Love--Rick Astley (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): 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).

25 years ago
1992

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

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Sekai jū no dare yori kitto--Miho Nakayama

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

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Because the Night--Co.Ro featuring Tarlisa (7th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Highland--One More Time (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Dur dur d'être bébé!--Jordy (11th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): I Will Always Love You--Whitney Houston (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (Chart Information Network): I Will Always Love You--Whitney Houston (4th week at #1)

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

U.S.A. 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 were Mr. Wendal by Arrested Development (#57); Reminisce by Mary J. Blige (#61); I Got a Man by Positive K (#66); Ditty by Paperboy (#78); Steam by Peter Gabriel (#83); Don't Walk Away by Jade (#88); 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 were Saving Forever for You by Shanice (#78); Heading West by Mitsou (#84); No Mistakes by Patty Smyth (#88); If I Ever Fall in Love by Shai (#89); Be My Downfall by Del Amitri (#90); 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); Tell the Truth by Jude Cole (#97); and You Ain't Thinking (About Me) by Sonia Dada (#98).

20 years ago
1997

Hit parade
#1 single in Germany (Media Control): It's Like That--Run-D.M.C. vs Jason Nevins (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): I Will Come to You--Hanson (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Perfect Day--Various Artists (5th week at #1)

December 25, 2017

525 years ago
1492

Disasters
The carrack Santa María, commanded by Christopher Columbus, ran onto a reef off Haiti due to an improper watch.

300 years ago
1717

Born on this date
Pius VI. Roman Catholic Pope, 1775-1799. Pius VI, born Count Giovanni Angelo Braschi, succeeded Clement XIV. Pius VI was Pope during and after the French Revolution; he condemned the revolution and the resulting suppression of the Gallican Church. Pius VI refused to renounce papal authority in the face of invading French troops in 1798, and was taken prisoner and eventually taken into exile in France, where he died on August 29, 1799 at the age of 81, six weeks after his arrival. He was succeeded as Pope by Pius VII.

180 years ago
1837

War
U.S. Army troops under the command of Colonel Zachary Taylor fought against Seminoles in the Battle of Lake Okeechobee in Florida.

90 years ago
1927

World events
Six people died in New York City from drinking holiday "booze." In Brooklyn, a man awaiting trial for killing his wife and child celebrated Christmas by committing suicide in Raymond Street Jail. A brawl between county officers and local police in South Pittsburgh, Tennessee resulted in five people killed, another mortally wounded, and three others wounded.

75 years ago
1942

At the movies
Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon, starring Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, and Lionel Atwill, opened at the Pantages Hollywood and RKO Hillstreet theatres in Los Angeles. It was the second feature, following Once Upon a Honeymoon, starring Cary Grant, Ginger Rogers, and Walter Slezak.





Movies
In a poll conducted by Motion Picture Herald, the comedy team of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello were voted the leading box office attraction of 1942.

War
The British 8th Army occupied Sirte, 225 miles east of Tripoli, and continued to pursue German troops to the west. U.S. Army bombers from Guadalcanal flew 560 miles to Rabaul, New Britain and scored several hits on Japanese cargo ships.

Crime
Bonnier de la Chapelle, who had assassinated French Prime Minister Jean-Francois Darlan the previous day, was convicted by a French military tribunal of murder and sentenced to death.

70 years ago
1947

Died on this date
Gaspar G. Bacon, 81. U.S. politician. Mr. Bacon, a Republican, sat in the Massachusetts Senate from 1925-1932, and was President of the Senate from 1929-1932. He served as Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts from 1933-1935.

World events
Greek police began a roundup of political suspects, arresting over 500 alleged supporters of the Free Greek Government.

Protest
Members of the Committee for Amnesty picketed the White House in Washington, demanding that U.S. President Harry Truman extend pardons to 12,764 draft law violators.

60 years ago
1957

At the movies
Old Yeller, produced by Walt Disney and starring Dorothy McGuire and Fess Parker, opened in theatres.

Died on this date
Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr., 87. U.S. landscape architect. Mr. Olmsted, whose father, Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr., was a pioneering landscape architect, carried on the family tradition, and formed Olmsted Brothers with his brother John. Frederick Jr. was known for his conservation efforts in planning national parks, and also helped to design the White House grounds in Washington.

Diplomacy
Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion announced that envoys would travel to West Germany to negotiate for arms purchases and to work for a normalization of relations.

Politics and government
Thai Defense Minister Lieutenant General Thanom Kitkhachon was named Prime Minister.

50 years ago
1967

Hit parade
#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): En Aranjuez Con Tu Amor (Aranjuez, Mon Amour)--Richard Anthony (4th week at #1)

War
U.S. forces ended their 24-hour truce in Vietnam, and later claimed that Viet Cong forces had violated their truce with 108 incidents. The U.S. forces resumed air attacks on North Vietnam, and reportedly destroyed 23 trucks in a 150-truck convoy 90 miles south of Hanoi.

Disasters
16 people were killed and 20 injured when a bus overturned and fell into a river near Tafi Del Valle, Argentina.

Nine people were killed in an explosion at an apartment house in Moscow.

Football
NCAA
All-Star Shrine Game @ Miami
North 24 South 0

40 years ago
1977

Died on this date
Charlie Chaplin, 88. U.K.-born actor, director, and composer. Sir Charles was one of the most important figures in the history of motion pictures, with achievements too numerous to be listed here. He died after several years of declining health.

Diplomacy
Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin met in Ismalia, Egypt with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat to begin a two-day summit.

Hockey
World Junior Championships
Canada 9 CSSR 3

Football
NCAA
Fiesta Bowl
Pennsylvania State 42 Arizona State 30

30 years ago
1987

Hit parade
#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Whenever You Need Somebody--Rick Astley (4th week at #1)

25 years ago
1992

Hit parade
#1 single in Germany (Media Control): More and More--Captain Hollywood Project (2nd week at #1)

Died on this date
Monica Dickens, 77. U.K. author. Miss Dickens, the great-granddaughter of Charles Dickens, wrote fiction and non-fiction. Her books included One Pair of Hands (1939); Mariana (1940); The Winds of Heaven (1955); and One of the Family (1993).

20 years ago
1997

Hit parade
#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): Candle in the Wind 1997/Something About the Way You Look Tonight--Elton John (15th week at #1)

#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Pop-Musiikkia--Neljä Baritonia (2nd week at #1)

Died on this date
Denver Pyle, 77. U.S. actor. Mr. Pyle was a character actor who appeared in numerous movies and television programs--most notably, Westerns--in a career that spanned more than 40 years. He played Uncle Jesse Duke in the television series The Dukes of Hazzard (1979-1985). Mr. Pyle died of lung cancer.

10 years ago
2007

Died on this date
Jim Beauchamp, 68. U.S. baseball player and coach. Mr. Beauchamp was a first baseman and outfielder with five National League teams from 1963-1973, batting .231 with 14 home runs and 90 runs batted in in 393 games. He had a solid minor league career, batting .275 with 192 homers and over 600 RBIs in 1,213 games from 1958-1968 and 1974. Mr. Beauchamp was the Most Valuable Player in the AA Texas League in 1963, batting .337 with 31 homers and 105 RBIs in 137 games with the Tulsa Oilers. He managed in the minor leagues from 1975-1990 and served bench coach with the Atlanta Braves from 1991-2001. Mr. Beauchamp died after a long battle with leukemia.