December 19, 2021

1,620 years ago
401

Died on this date
Anastasius I. Roman Catholic Pope, 399-401. Anastasius I, born Anastasio de Massimi, was from a noble Roman family, and succeeded Siricius as Bishop of Rome. He was best known for his condemnation of the writings of the Alexandrian heretic Origen. Pope Anastasius I was succeeded by his son Innocent I.

280 years ago
1741

Died on this date
Vitus Bering, 60. Danish explorer. Commander Bering was a cartographer served in the Russian Navy and led the First Kamchatka Expedition (1725-1731), which explored the Asian Pacific Coast, and the Great Northern Expedition (1733-1743), which explored the Arctic coast of Siberia and parts of the North American coastline. He died of scurvy on an uninhabited island, later named in his honour, near the Kamchatka Peninsula. The Bering Strait and Bering Sea are among the things named in Commander Bering's honour.

225 years ago
1796

War
Two British frigates under Commodore Horatio Nelson and two Spanish frigates under Commodore Don Jacobo Stuart engaged in battle off the coast of Murcia. One Spanish frigate was captured and another damaged before Spanish reinforcements drove the British off and recaptured the lost ship.

175 years ago
1846

Communications
The mayors of Toronto and Hamilton exchanged greetings to open Canada's first telegraph service; the line ran between Toronto and Hamilton over lines of the Toronto, Hamilton, Niagara and St. Catharines Electro-Magnetic Telegraph Company, founded October 22, 1846. The first message was from Hamilton: “Well, advise Mr. Gamble (the President of the company) that Mr. Dawson will speak to him at half-past one.”

170 years ago
1851

Died on this date
J.M.W. Turner, 76. U.K. artist. Joseph Mallord William Turner was known for his landscapes and seascapes, many of the latter showing the violence of nature. He left behind more than 550 oil paintings, 2,000 watercolours, and 30,000 works on paper. Mr. Turner died of cholera after years of declining health.

130 years ago
1891

Born on this date
Edward Bernard Raczyński. 4th President-in-exile of Poland, 1979-1986. Count Raczyński was a career diplomat who fled to the United Kingdom early in World War II, and held various positions in the government-in-exile before assuming the presidency at the age of 87. He resigned seven years later, and died in London at the age of 101 on July 30, 1993.

Football
CRU
The Canadian Rugby Union was founded.

120 years ago
1901

Born on this date
Oliver La Farge. U.S. anthropologist and author. Mr. La Farge explored Olmec sites in Mexico in 1925 and Native American sites in New Mexico after moving there in 1933. He wrote fiction and non-fiction, often about Native American culture. Mr. La Farge's novel Laughing Boy (1929), about a Navajo's difficulties in attempting to reconcile his culture with that of the United States, won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Mr. La Farge died on August 2, 1963 at the age of 61.

Rudolf Hell. German engineer. Dr. Hell demonstrated a photo-electric image splitting tube for television in 1925 that worked in principle but was useless for practical use. In 1929, he founded his own company and received a patent for the Hellschreiber, an early forerunner to impact dot matrix printers and faxes. Dr. Hell developed a new type of Morse code machine in 1931, and in 1951 invented a printing machine known as the Klischograph. In 1963, he introduced a scanner called the Chromograph, and in 1965 he introduced the Digiset, a digital typesetting machine. Dr. Hell retired in 1972, and died on March 11, 2002 at the age of 100.

Politics and government
The Conseil fédéré des métiers (Federation of Trades Council) (CFM) announced that it would support a list of candidates for the municipal elections to be held in Montreal on February 1, 1902.

110 years ago
1911

Skiing
The Edmonton Ski Club was founded.

80 years ago
1941

Died on this date
John Kelburne Lawson, 54. Canadian military officer. Brigadier Lawson was commander of the West Brigade on the island of Hong Kong during the Japanese invasion; with his headquarters surrounded, he went out to meet the enemy with a pistol, and was fatally shot eight days before his 55th birthday, becoming the highest-ranking Canadian soldier killed during World War II.

John Robert Osborn, 42. U.K.-born Canadian soldier. Company Sergeant Major Osborn of the Winnipeg Grenadiers, leading a bayonet charge against the Japanese on Mount Butler, Hong Kong, threw himself on a Japanese grenade to save his comrades' lives, two weeks before his 43rd birthday; he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, becoming the first Canadian so honoured during World War II.

War
Nicaragua declared war on Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria. German Fuehrer Adolf Hitler appointed himself as head of the Oberkommando des Heeres (OKH), the Supreme High Command of the Wehrmacht; he replaced Feldmarschall Walther von Brauchitsch. The U.K. battleships HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Valiant, moored in the harbour at Alexandria, Egypt, were severely damaged by the detonation of limpet mines that had been attached to their hulls the previous day by Italian "human torpedoes" who had been launched from a submarine that had penetrated the harbour. In New Zealand’s worst naval tragedy, the Royal Navy cruiser HMS Neptune struck enemy mines and sank off Libya; of the 764 men who lost their lives, 150 were New Zealanders. The British command announced that the Derma airport, 170 miles inside Libya, had been captured the previous day. British forces abandoned their base on Penang Island as Japanese forces pressed forward. Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio de Oliveira Salazar demanded that the U.K. and Netherlands withdraw their occupation forces from Portuguese Timor immediately. The entire Philippine Army was inducted into the U.S. Far Eastern Army under Lieutenant General Douglas MacArthur. Both houses of the United States Congress quickly passed a conference-approved draft bill requiring all men aged 18-64 to register, and making those aged 20-44 subject to military service. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill requiring the Communist Party USA and the German-American Bund to register with the Justice Department as agents of foreign governments.

Politics and government
Cuban President Fulgencio Batista signed a congressional resolution declaring a state of national emergency and granting him special war powers.

Boxing
National Boxing Association world champion Sammy Angott (65-16-5) won a 15-round unanimous decision over New York State Athletic Commission world champion Lew Jenkins (50-19-5) at Madison Square Garden in New York to win the undisputed world lightweight title.

75 years ago
1946

At the movies
It's A Wonderful Life, directed by Frank Capra and starring James Stewart and Donna Reed, received a preview screening for charity at the Globe Theatre in New York City, a day before its official premiere.



War
The First Indochina War began when Vietnamese nationalists led by Ho Chi Minh attacked French districts in Hanoi and seized French civilians as hostages.

The U.S.S.R. signed a pact with the U.S.A. to repatriate Japanese prisoners now in Soviet-held areas at the rate of 50,000 per month.

Politics and government
Ricardo Guardo and Silvio Pontieri resigned as President and Vice President, respectively, of the Argentine Chamber of Deputies.

Society
U.S. President Harry Truman announced that he was not satisfied with the execution of his December 1945 directive on refugee immigration, and set aside four ships to transport refugees to the United States.

Law
A U.S. federal grand jury in Atlanta ended a three-week inquiry into the July 25, 1946 murder of four Negroes without being able to identify any of the guilty parties.

Scandal
In the final session of a U.S. Senate investigation of his conduct, Sen. Theodore Bilbo (Democrat--Mississippi) testified for six hours, and denied all charges of accepting bribes and other wrongdoing.

Archaeology
Roland Collier of the Chicago Natural History Museum announced that relics of eight separate Indian civilizations, the oldest dating back almost 2,000 years, had been discovered in the Viru Valley in Peru.

Labour
The U.K. National Coal Board ordered a five-day week for workers in state owned mines, beginning May 5, 1947.

70 years ago
1951

Theatre
Caesar and Cleopatra by George Bernard Shaw, directed by Michael Benthall, and starring Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh, opened at the Ziegfeld Theatre on Broadway in New York. It ran in repertory with Antony and Cleopatra, which opened the following night.

Died on this date
Barton Yarborough, 51. U.S. actor. Mr. Yarborough was known for his work in radio, playing Clifford Barbour in the soap opera One Man's Family (1932-1951), and playing Doc Long in the adventure series I Love a Mystery (1939-1944); he also played the latter character in three movies. Mr. Yarborough played Ben Romero in the radio (1949-1951) and television (1951) series Dragnet. He died four days after suffering a heart attack, which occurred the day after the conclusion of filming of the second episode of the Dragnet television series; his death occurred three days after the first episode was broadcast.

War
White House Press Secretary Joseph Short charged that the Communist list of United Nations prisoners in Korea was incomplete and inaccurate, pointing out that the UN command listed 70,000 men as missing in action who were not on the list.

World events
The Soviet news agency Tass charged that two U.S.-trained spies parachuted into the Moldavian Soviet Republic from an American plane the previous summer had later been captured and executed.

Defense
The United Nations General Assembly's Political and Security Committee approved the creation of a Disarmament Commission under the Security Council to work for the "balanced reduction of armed forces and armaments."

South Americana
Colombian President Roberto Urdaneta Arbelas signed a bill establishing Cordoba as the country's 16th department.

Crime
New York U.S. Federal Judge Sylvester Ryan found convicted Communist Party U.S.A. general secretary Gus Hall guilty of criminal contempt of court for fleeing the country to avoid serving a five-year prison term for conspiracy.

Business
U.S. Federal Trade Commission Chairman James Mead ordered a crackdown on the "great wave of mergers" which, he charged, violated anti-monopoly regulations.

60 years ago
1961

Hit parade
#1 single in Norway (VG-lista): When the Girl in Your Arms is the Girl in Your Heart--Cliff Richard and the Norrie Paramor Orchestra (5th week at #1)

On television tonight
Alfred Hitchcock Presents, on NBC
Tonight's episode: The Right Kind of Medicine, starring Robert Redford, Russell Collins, and Joby Baker

Indianica
India annexed Daman and Diu, part of Portuguese India.

Communications
Canadian Prime Minister John Diefenbaker spoke to Queen Elizabeth II by the new CANTAT cable, carrying voice, picture, and teletype message. It was the first link in the new round-the-world Commonwealth communications system.

Boxing
Cleveland Williams (55-5-1) knocked out Jim Wiley (7-16-3) just 55 seconds into the 1st round of a heavyweight bout at Sam Houston Coliseum in Houston.



50 years ago
1971

On television tonight
The Homecoming: A Christmas Story, on CBS

This made-for-television movie achieved good ratings and inspired the series The Waltons.



Hockey
NHL
Toronto (15-9-8) 4 @ Philadelphia (10-16-5) 0

Guy Trottier scored the first and last goals and Jacques Plante made 25 saves to get the shutout in goal for the Maple Leafs as they shut out the Flyers at the Spectrum in the Sunday night broadcast on CBC radio.

Football
NFL
Cleveland (9-5) 21 @ Washington (9-4-1) 13
San Diego (6-8) 33 @ Houston (4-9-1) 49
Buffalo (1-13) 9 @ Kansas City (10-3-1) 22
Cincinnati (4-10) 21 @ New York Jets (6-8) 35
Denver (4-9-1) 13 @ Oakland (8-4-2) 21
Green Bay (4-8-2) 6 @ Miami (10-3-1) 27
Philadelphia (5-8-1) 41 @ New York Giants (4-10) 28
Detroit (7-6-1) 27 @ San Francisco (9-5) 31
Los Angeles (8-5-1) 23 @ Pittsburgh (6-8) 14
Minnesota (11-3) 27 @ Chicago (6-8) 10
Atlanta (7-6-1) 24 @ New Orleans (4-8-2) 14
New England (6-8) 21 @ Baltimore (10-4) 17

40 years ago
1981

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): Cicale--Heather Parisi (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Pretend--Alvin Stardust (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland: Don't You Want Me--The Human League

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Don't You Want Me--The Human League

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Don't You Want Me--The Human League (2nd week at #1)

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Why Do Fools Fall in Love--Diana Ross
2 Under Pressure--Queen & David Bowie
3 Annie--Miggy
4 Wünderbar--Tenpole Tudor
5 One of Us--ABBA
6 Let's Start II Dance Again--Bohannon
7 It's Raining--Shakin' Stevens
8 Pretend--Alvin Stardust
9 Should I Do It--Pointer Sisters
10 I Go to Sleep--Pretenders

Singles entering the chart were Daddy's Home by Cliff Richard (#28); Menergy by Patrick Crowley (#30); S.T.O.P. by Dolly Dots (#32); Live it Up by Time Bandits (#35); and Ik Heb Alleen Nog Maar Die Foto by Hepie en Hepie (#36).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Physical--Olivia Newton-John (5th week at #1)
2 Waiting for a Girl Like You--Foreigner
3 Let's Groove--Earth, Wind & Fire
4 Oh No--Commodores
5 Young Turks--Rod Stewart
6 I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)--Daryl Hall & John Oates
7 Why Do Fools Fall in Love--Diana Ross
8 Harden My Heart--Quarterflash
9 Don't Stop Believin'--Journey
10 Leather and Lace--Stevie Nicks with Don Henley

Singles entering the chart were Feel Like a Number by Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band (#79); Those Good Old Dreams by the Carpenters (#82); One Hundred Ways by Quincy Jones featuring James Ingram (#83); Love is Like a Rock by Donnie Iris (#87); and It's My Party by Dave Stewart with Barbara Gaskin (#96).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Physical--Olivia Newton-John (5th week at #1)
2 Waiting for a Girl Like You--Foreigner
3 Let's Groove--Earth, Wind and Fire
4 Oh No--Commodores
5 I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)--Daryl Hall & John Oates
6 Young Turks--Rod Stewart
7 Why Do Fools Fall in Love--Diana Ross
8 Every Little Thing She Does is Magic--The Police
9 Don't Stop Believin'--Journey
10 Harden My Heart--Quarterflash

Singles entering the chart were Somewhere Down the Road by Barry Manilow (#76); Feel Like a Number by Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band (#78); Every Home Should Have One by Patti Austin (#86); Love is Like a Rock by Donnie Iris (#88); Southern Pacific by Neil Young & Crazy Horse (#89); and Those Good Old Dreams by the Carpenters (#90).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Record World)
1 Physical--Olivia Newton-John (5th week at #1)
2 Waiting for a Girl Like You--Foreigner
3 Let's Groove--Earth, Wind & Fire
4 Private Eyes--Daryl Hall & John Oates
5 Young Turks--Rod Stewart
6 Why Do Fools Fall in Love--Diana Ross
7 I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)--Daryl Hall & John Oates
8 Harden My Heart--Quarterflash
9 Don't Stop Believin'--Journey
10 Trouble--Lindsey Buckingham

Singles entering the chart included Somewhere Down the Road by Barry Manilow (#74); Little Darlin' by Sheila (#75); Abacab by Genesis (#79); Every Home Should Have One by Patti Austin (#84); Keeping Our Love Alive by the Henry Paul Band (#87); Feel Like a Number by Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band (#88); Love is Like a Rock by Donnie Iris (#89); WKRP in Cincinnati by Steve Carlisle (#90); and A World Without Heroes by Kiss (#95).

Canada’s Top 10 (RPM)
1 Physical--Olivia Newton-John
2 Young Turks--Rod Stewart
3 My Girl (Gone, Gone, Gone)--Chilliwack
4 Oh No--Commodores
5 Waiting for a Girl Like You--Foreigner
6 Under Pressure--Queen & David Bowie
7 The Friends of Mr. Cairo--Jon and Vangelis
8 Every Little Thing She Does is Magic--The Police
9 Don't Stop Believin'--Journey
10 Working for the Weekend--Loverboy

Singles entering the chart were Abacab by Genesis (#44); Come Go with Me by the Beach Boys (#46); and Pretty Bad Boy by Goddo (#48).

On the radio
Sherlock Holmes vs. Dracula, starring John Moffatt and Timothy West, on BBC

Disasters
16 people, including 8 volunteer lifeboatmen, perished when the Royal National Lifeboat Institution lifeboat Solomon Browne went to the aid of MV Union Star when its engines failed in heavy seas near Mousehole, Cornwall, England.

30 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Bohemian Rhapsody/These Are the Days of Our Lives--Queen

Bohemian Rhapsody had previously occupied the #1 position for six weeks from December 1975-January 1976.

Labour
Canadian Auto Workers President Bob White announced a merger with the Canadian Association of Industrial, Mechanical and Allied Workers; the merger affected 6,500 aerospace and mining workers in Manitoba and British Columbia.

25 years ago
1996

Hit parade
#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): Breathe--The Prodigy (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Anna mulle piiskaa--Apulanta

Died on this date
Ronald Howard, 78. U.K. actor. Mr. Howard, the son of actor Leslie Howard, was best known for starring as the title character in the television series Sherlock Holmes (1954-1955). His films included The Browning Version (1951) and The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb (1964).

Marcello Mastroianni, 72. Italian actor. Mr. Mastroianni was a popular leading man in films in Italy and elsewhere for more than 40 years, and won numerous awards. His movies included La Dolce Vita (1960); 8½ (1963); Ieri, oggi, domani (Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow) (1963); and Oci ciornie (Dark Eyes) (1987). Mr. Mastroianni died in Paris of pancreatic cancer.

20 years ago
2001

Protest
Riots erupted in Buenos Aires and other Argentine cities in response to the government's imposition, at the behest of Economic Minister Domingo Cavallo, of "Corral" policies which restricted people's ability to withdraw cash from banks.

Scandal
The United States government indicted Tyson Foods, Inc., the nation's largest meat producer, for smuggling illegal immigrants from Mexico to work in its meat-processing plants.

Science
A botanist in Australia said that he had rediscovered Asterolasi buxifolia, a shrub believed to have been extinct for 130 years.

Weather
A record high barometric pressure of 1,085.6 hectopascals (32.06 inHg) was recorded at Tosontsengel, Khِvsgِl, Mongolia.