1791
Politics and government
The United States of America ratified the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, popularly known as the Bill of Rights. The ratification took effect when the Virginia General Assembly gave its approval.
160 years ago
1861
Born on this date
Charles Duryea. U.S. automobile executive. Mr. Duryea was the engineer of the first American gasoline-powered car that worked, which was given its first successful road test in Springfield, Massachusetts on September 20, 1893. He and his brother Frank founded the Duryea Motor Wagon Company in Springfield in 1896. The company ceased production in 1917. Charles Duryea died on September 28, 1938 at the age of 76.
P.E. Svinhufvud. Prime Minister of Finland, 1930-1931; President of Finland, 1931-1937. Mr. Svinhufvud was a leader of the movement for Finnish independence and was the country's first head of state, as Chairman of the Senate from 1917-1918 and Regent from May 18-December 12, 1918. He was a conservative known for his opposition to Communism. Mr. Svinhufvud died on February 29, 1944 at the age of 82.
130 years ago
1891
Born on this date
A.P. Carter. U.S. musician. Alvin Pleasant Delaney Carter was a country singer-songwriter and guitarist who, with his wife Sara, founded the Carter Family band in 1927. A.P. and Sara separated in 1939 and divorced in 1943, and Mr. Carter eventually left the music business and ran a general store in Virginia. He died on November 7, 1960 at the age of 68. Mr. Carter was inducted into the the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970, and was inducted as part of the Carter Family into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1970.
Basketball
James Naismith devised the rules of basketball in Springfield, Massachusetts, inspired by a childhood game called duck-on-a-rock. He had been asked by staff of the YMCA's Springfield Training College to devise a good indoor physical education activity to keep a group of incorrigible students busy during the winter months.
125 years ago
1896
Born on this date
Betty Smith. U.S. authoress. Mrs. Smith wrote four novels, but was best known for her first, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1943). She died of pneumonia on January 17, 1972 at the age of 75.
110 years ago
1911
Born on this date
Stan Kenton. U.S. musician. Mr. Kenton was a jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader who achieved commercial success in the 1940s and early '50s, with six singles reaching the top ten of the Billboard singles chart. Beginning in the late '40s, he became a pioneer in the field of progressive jazz, forming several different bands over the next three decades, performing and recording several genres of music. Mr. Kenton was a leader in jazz education; he founded the Stan Kenton Band Clinic at Indiana University in 1959, and was conducting over 100 clinics a year by 1975. Heavy drinking affected his later years; he died on August 25, 1979 at the age of 67.
Nicholas P. Dallis. U.S. psychiatrist and author. Dr. Dallis practiced psychiatry in Toledo, Ohio after World War II, and got the idea that he would like to write a comic strip about the history of medicine. He created and wrote the comic strips Rex Morgan, M.D. (under the pseudonym Dal Curtis); Judge Parker (under the pseudonym Paul Nichols); and Apartment 3-G. Dr. Dallis died on July 6, 1991 at the age of 79.
100 years ago
1921
Born on this date
Alan Freed. U.S. disc jockey. Mr. Freed was working at WJW in Cleveland in 1951 when he began playing rhythm and blues records on his program, The Moondog House. On March 21, 1952, Mr. Freed presented The Moondog Coronation Ball at Cleveland Arena, which has been credited with being the first rock and roll concert. Mr. Freed moved to New York, working at WINS and then WABC. He hosted his own television program and appeared as himself in several movies, all of which featured numerous performances by rock and roll artists. When the payola scandal broke in 1959--record companies paid disc jockeys to play their records--Mr. Freed was the most prominent of those who lost their jobs. He had difficulty holding a steady job after that, and years of heavy smoking and drinking caught up with him and hastened his death on January 20, 1965 at the age of 43, broke and all but forgotten. Mr. Freed was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a charter member in 1986.
Politics and government
Quebec's governing Liberal Party increased its majority in the Legislative Assembly by winning four provincial by-elections by acclamation. Joseph-Hugues Fortier, Louis-Philippe Mercier, Joseph-Pierre-Cyrénus Lemieux, and Minister Jacob Nicol were elected respectively in Beauce, Trois-Rivières, Wolfe, and Richmond.
80 years ago
1941
On the radio
We Hold These Truths, on CBS, NBC Red, NBC Blue, Mutual
We Hold These Truths, a celebration of the 150th anniversary of the U.S. Bill of Rights, was written and produced by Norman Corwin, and was the first program ever carried on all four major networks. An estimated 63 million people listened, the largest ever for a dramatic performance on radio.
War
The U.S.S.R. announced that Klin, northwest of Moscow, had been recaptured together with Yasnaya Polyana and Bogoroditsk, south of Tula. A communique from Singapore reported that British forces in northeastern Malaya were retreating slowly, inflicting heavy casualties on Japanese mechanized troops. U.S. Navy Secretary Frank Knox reported on the losses in the December 7 Japanese attack on the naval base at Pearl Harbor Hawaii. He stated that six warshipd had been lost and several others damaged, and that almost 3,000 men had been killed. Mr. Knox said that U.S. forces were "not on the alert against the surprise air attack" and added that "a formal investigation" would be initiated immediately.
Defense
The U.S. Congress completed action on the conference-approved $10,000,077,005 supplemental defense appropriation bill and sent it to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Mr. Roosevelt reported to Congress that Lend-Lease aid to the Allies during the past nine months had reached $1.202 billion.
Abominations
German troops murdered over 15,000 Jews at Drobytsky Yar, a ravine southeast of the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv.
Academia
Yale University President Charles Seymour announced that the university would operate on a year-round basis so that students could complete their studies in less than three years, instead of four.
Labour
The American Federation of Labor adopted a no-strike policy in all defense industries.
Football
NCAA
For the only time in its history, the Rose Bowl game was moved from Pasadena, California to Durham, North Carolina, with the date of January 1, 1942 remaining unchanged. The relocation took place at the request of the United States Army amid fears of a Japanese invasion of the west coast of the United States.
75 years ago
1946
War
Nationalist Chinese sources reported strong Communist attacks on the fortress city of Yulin in the northern part of the province of Shensi.
Kurdish nationalist leader Ghazi Mohammed surrendered to Iranian forces after the capture of Mehabad, capital of the province of Kurdistan.
Diplomacy
The United Nations General Assembly admitted Siam as its 55th member nation.
The executive committee of the World Zionist Congress suspended six members of the Zionist Revisionist Union of America for requesting United Nations discussion of the Palestine problem and appealing for funds to support "underground fighters."
Economics and finance
U.S. officials in Vienna completed a proposed four-year reconstruction plan for Austria.
Scandal
Telephone wiretaps showed that gambler Alvin Paris had tried to bribe New York Giants' fullback Merle Hapes to fix that day's National Football League championship game against the Chicago Bears. Mr. Hapes rejected the offer, but did mention the contact to his teammate, quarterback Frank Filchock. Mr. Hapes was suspended for the game by NFL Commissioner Bert Bell for not informing team officials, while Mr. Filchock was allowed to play. Both players were soon banned for life from the NFL, and continued their playing careers in Canada. Mr. Filchock's suspension was eventually lifted.
Football
NFL
Championship @ Polo Grounds, New York
Chicago Bears 24 New York Giants 14
Sid Luckman rushed 19 yards for a touchdown with 12:15 remaining in regulation time to break a 14-14 tie as the Bears defeated the Giants before 58,436 fans. The Bears had taken a 14-0 lead in the 1st quarter on a 21-yard touchdown pass from Mr. Luckman to Ken Kavanaugh and a 19-yard interception return for a touchdown by Dante Magnani, both converted by Frank Maznicki. Frank Filchock then threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to Frank Liebel with 1:26 remaining in the 1st quarter, and Ken Strong's convert reduced the deficit to 14-7. The score remained the same until Mr. Filchock completed a 5-yard TD pass to Steve Filipowicz in the 3rd quarter, converted by Mr. Strong. Mr. Maznicki converted Mr. Luckman's touchdown and closed the scoring with a 26-yard field goal with 5:16 remaining.
AAFC
Chicago (5-6-3) 17 @ Los Angeles (7-5-2) 17
70 years ago
1951
Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): My Truly, Truly Fair--Guy Mitchell; Donald Peers (4th week at #1)
#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): It's No Sin--Eddy Howard and his Orchestra (Best Seller--1st week at #1; Disc Jockey--5th week at #1); Cold, Cold Heart--Tony Bennett (Jukebox--2nd week at #1);
U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Down Yonder--Del Wood
--Joe "Fingers" Carr
--Champ Butler
2 (It's No) Sin--The Four Aces
--Eddy Howard
3 Because of You--Tony Bennett
--Les Baxter and his Orchestra
4 Cold, Cold Heart--Tony Bennett
5 Undecided--The Ames Brothers and Les Brown and his Band of Renown
6 I Get Ideas--Tony Martin
--Louis Armstrong
7 Slow Poke--Pee Wee King and his Golden West Cowboys
8 Charmaine--Mantovani and his Orchestra
9 Jealousy (Jalousie)--Frankie Laine
10 And So to Sleep Again--Patti Page
Singles entering the chart were Jingle Bells by Les Paul (#31); My Concerto, with versions by Ray Anthony and his Orchestra; and Tommy Edwards (#38); and Tell Me Why, with versions by the Four Aces; and Eddie Fisher (#39).
Politics and government
Americans for Democratic Action began a drive for repeal of the Smith Act, which prohibited the teaching or advocacy of forcible overhrow of the government.
Transportation
An International Air Transport Association conference in Nice agreed to introduce tourist-class transatlantic air service, costing $270 for a one-way ticket between London and New York.
Economics and finance
Switzerland abolished its fixed price of gold at $35 per ounce.
The Bolivian government charged that low tin prices paid by the United States were forcing the country toward an "imminent economic, political and social crisis."
Disasters
Philippine President Elpidio Quirino appealed for aid to 10,000 people made homeless by volcanic eruptions and typhoons which had struck the country in the past month.
60 years ago
1961
Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Tower of Strength--Frankie Vaughan (3rd week at #1)
On television tonight
The Twilight Zone, on CBS
Tonight's episode: Once Upon a Time, starring Buster Keaton, Stanley Adams, and Jesse White
World events
A three-man Israeli court panel sentenced former Nazi official Adolf Eichmann to death by hanging, four days after he was convicted of all 15 charges against him. The charges were:
1/Causing the enslavement, deportation and murder of Jews;
2/Causing the deaths of millions of Jews;
3/Putting millions of Jews in ghettos, labour and concentration camps with the aim of destroying them (the Jews, that is);
4/Sending thousands of Gypsies to extermination camps;
5/Causing the inhuman treatment, deportation and murder of Jews in Axis-occupied areas;
6/Inflicting physical and mental harm on millions of Jews;
7/Planning a program for sterilization of Jews;
8/Deporting 100 Czechoslovakian children from Lidice to Poland, where they were killed;
9/Persecuting Jews on religious, racial, political and national grounds;
10/Appropriating Jewish property by force;
11/Deporting over 500,000 Poles;
12/Deporting 14,000 Slovenes;
13/Being a member of the SS;
14/Being a member of the Nazi Security Police;
15/Being a member of the Gestapo.
50 years ago
1971
Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Ernie (The Fastest Milkman in the West)--Benny Hill (3rd week at #1)
On television tonight
Rod Serling's Night Gallery, on NBC
Tonight's episode: The Messiah on Mott Street, starring Edward G. Robinson, Yaphet Kotto, and Tony Roberts; The Painted Mirror, starring Zsa Zsa Gabor, Arthur O'Connell, and Rosemary DeCamp
Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Rahim Jaffer!
Politics and government
The Quebec National Assembly unanimously passed Bill 65, a measure from the Liberal government of Premier Robert Bourassa to reorganize health and social services in the province.
Economics and finance
The U.S.A., in an effort to resolve the world monetary crisis, announced that it was prepared to devalue the dollar as part of an international agreement to realign the rates of major currencies.
30 years ago
1981
Hit parade
Austria's Top 10 (Ö3)
1 Ja, wenn wir alle Englein wنren--Fred Sonnenschein und seine Freunde (5th week at #1)
2 Tainted Love--Soft Cell
3 Du entschuldige - i kenn' di--Peter Cornelius
4 Dance Little Bird--Electronica's
5 Pretend--Alvin Stardust
6 Japanese Boy--Aneka
7 Physical--Olivia Newton-John
8 Hooked on Classics--The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
9 Der Durscht--Ulli Bنer
10 Hold on Tight--Electric Light Orchestra
Singles entering the chart were Pretend; Der Durscht; It's Raining by Shakin' Stevens (#11); and Medley of Platters Songs by Rolling 60's (#19).
Music
The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra performed a free lunch hour concert at the Edmonton Centre mall.
Terrorism
The Iraqi Shia Islamist group al-Dawa carried out one of the first modern suicide bombings, targeting the Iraqi embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, resulting in 61 deaths and 110 injuries.
30 years ago
1991
Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Black or White--Michael Jackson (4th week at #1)
#1 single in Switzerland: Black or White--Michael Jackson (3rd week at #1)
Austria's Top 10 (Ö3)
1 Let's Talk About Sex!--Salt-N-Pepa (5th week at #1)
2 Do the Limbo Dance--David Hasselhoff
3 (Everything I Do) I Do it for You--Bryan Adams
4 Any Dream Will Do--Jason Donovan
5 Black or White--Michael Jackson
6 Always Look on the Bright Side of Life--Monty Python
7 Jambo--Erste Allgemeine Verunsicherung
8 Love to Hate You--Erasure
9 Bacardi Feeling (Summer Dreamin')--Kate Yanai
10 Something Got Me Started--Simply Red
Singles entering the chart were Save Up All Your Tears by Cher (#27); and Dizzy by Vic Reeves & the Wonder Stuff (#29).
Protest
In Fajardo, Puerto Rico, Ronald George led British Columbia Indian chiefs protesting upcoming celebrations of the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's discovery of the New World. The chiefs asked the Spanish consul to apologize for Spanish oppression of natives.
25 years ago
1996
Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): No Woman, No Cry--The Fugees (2nd week at #1)
#1 single in Austria (ض3): Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)--Backstreet Boys (4th week at #1)
#1 single in Switzerland: Verpiss' dich--Tic Tac Toe
#1 single in Scotland (OCC): Knockin' on Heaven's Door/Throw These Guns Away--Dunblane
20 years ago
2001
Died on this date
Rufus Thomas, 84. U.S. entertainer. Mr. Thomas was a Memphis blues singer, songwriter, dancer, and disc jockey who had a career spanning more than 60 years. He was best known for his novelty dance hits such as Walking the Dog (1963); Do the Funky Chicken (1969); and (Do the) Push and Pull (1970). Mr. Thomas often performed duets with his daughter Carla. He died of heart failure.
Italiana
The Leaning Tower of Pisa reopened after 11 years and $27,000,000 spent to stabilize it, without fixing its famous lean.
10 years ago
2011
Died on this date
Bob Brookmeyer, 81. U.S. musician. Mr. Brookmeyer was a jazz trombonist, pianist, arranger, and composer whose career spanned more than 60 years. He performed in combos and bands led by artists such as Gerry Mulligan, Clark Terry, Jimmy Giuffre, and Stan Getz before becoming a session musician in Los Angeles in the late 1960s. A serious drinking problem hampered his career in the 1970s, but he overcame the habit, and was named music director of the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra in 1979. Mr. Brookmeyer was nominated for eight Grammy Awards, with his last nomination, in the category of instrumental arrangement, coming shortly before his death from congestive heart failure, four days before his 82nd birthday.
Christopher Hitchens, 62. U.K.-born journalist. Mr. Hitchens was a Marxist and socialist who wrote for various magazines and newspapers in a career spanning 40 years. He moved to the United States in 1981 as part of an editor exchange program between the New Statesman and The Nation, and eventually became an American citizen in 2007. Mr. Hitchens was critical of American foreign policy in the 1980s, but broke with most leftist opinion in the 2000s when he supported the American war in Iraq. He also broke with the left when he criticized U.S. President Bill Clinton. Mr. Hitchens was, with Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, and Sam Harris, one of the "Four Horsemen" of the New Atheist movement in the mid-late 2000s, expressing his views in his book God is Not Great (2007). New Atheism was already a spent movement by the time Mr. Hitchens was diagnosed in 2010 with esophageal cancer, which likely resulted from decades of heavy smoking and drinking. He wrote essays on cancer, which were published as the book Mortality (2012) after his death from pneumonia.
Crime
A triple murder-suicide north of Claresholm, Alberta resulted in three people dead, including two members of the Lethbridge Bulls baseball team; a fourth survived.
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