December 24, 2021

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Hilary Hahn!

260 years ago
1761

Born on this date
Selim III, 46. Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, 1789-1807. Selim III was the son of Sultan Mustafa III and was designated as his successor, but Selim's uncle Abdul Hamid I took the throne after Mustafa III's death, and Selim had to wait 15 years. Sultan Selim III was a poet and composer, and some of his compositions still exist. He instituted military reforms, but the elite soldiers known as Janissaries eventually deposed Selim III in favour of his cousin Mustafa IV. There was a movement to restore Selim III to the throne, but before this could take place, he was assassinated on July 28, 1808 at the age of 46.

175 years ago
1846

Britannica
The United Kingdom acquired the island of Labuan from the Sultanate of Brunei; it was established as a Crown Colony in 1848.

170 years ago
1851

Disasters
Fire devastated the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., destroying about 35,000 volumes.

150 years ago
1871

Opera
Giuseppe Verdi's opera Aida received its premiere performance, conducted by Giovanni Bottesin,i at Khedivial Opera House in Cairo, as the completion of the final stages of the Suez Canal was being celebrated.

140 years ago
1881

Born on this date
Charles Wakefield Cadman. U.S. composer and critic. Mr. Cadman was appointed music editor and critic for the Pittsburgh Dispatch in 1908, and was regarded as a leading expert on American Indian music, writing and lecturing on the subject, and allowing it to influence his compositions. He moved to Los Angeles in the 1920s, helping to found the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, performing there as a piano soloist, and composing scores for motion pictures in the early years of sound movies. Mr. Cadman wrote music in various genres, but was best known for his 40-year collaboration with lyricist Nelle Richmond Eberhart, who wrote librettos for his operas and words for his songs. He died on December 30, 1946, six days after his 65th birthday.

130 years ago
1891

Born on this date
Feodor Rojankovsky. Russian-born illustrator. Mr. Rojankovsky, aka Rojan, was a White Russian who began his career in his native land, but was left stateless after the U.S.S.R. came into existence, living in France and eventually settling in the United States in 1941. He was best known for illustrating more than 100 children's books, including 35 Little Golden Books from 1943-1970. Mr. Rojankovsky won the 1956 Caldecott Medal for illustrating John Langstaff's Frog Went A-Courtin'. He died on October 12, 1970 at the age of 78.

100 years ago
1921

Born on this date
Bill Dudley. U.S. football player. Mr. Dudley was a halfback, kicker, and punter with the University of Virginia Cavaliers (1938-1941), earning All-America honours in his senior year and recognition by both the Maxwell Club in Philadelphia and the Touchdown Club of Washington, D.C. as the nation's most outstanding college player. He played in the National Football League with the Pittsburgh Steelers (1942, 1945-1946); Detroit Lions (1947-1949); and Washington Redskins (1950-1951, 1953), earning First Team All-Pro recognition four times and Second Team All-Pro recognition twice, leading the league twice in yards rushing, and being named the NFL's Most Valuable Player in 1946, when he led the league in yards rushing (604); interceptions (10); interception return yards (242); and punt return yards (385). Mr. Dudley interrupted his career for service in World War II, playing for the Army (1943-1944) and being named Most Valuable Player in the service in 1944. He was the only player in NFL history to score touchdowns by rushing, receiving, punt returns, kickoff returns, interception returns, and fumble returns, and throwing a touchdown pass. Mr. Dudley worked in insurance in Lynchburg, Virginia after his playing career, and was a scout for the Steelers and Lions. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1956 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1966. Mr. Dudley died on February 4, 2010 at the age of 88, five days after suffering a severe stroke.

80 years ago
1941

Died on this date
Siegfried Alkan, 83. German composer. Mr. Alkan, a distant relative of Felix Mendelsson, was a pianist and music store owner who also worked in the insurance business. His compositions consisted mainly of songs. Mr. Alkan was a victim of "Kristallnacht" on November 9, 1938, when his store was vandalized, his piano and other instruments were thrown into the street, and his scores were scattered and lost.

War
Admiral Émile Muselier captured the archipelago of Saint Pierre and Miquelon off Newfoundland, which became the first part of France to be liberated by Free French Forces. Japanese forces overran the makeshift hospital at St. Stephen’s College in Hong Kong during the final days of the defense of the territory, bayoneting some patients in their beds. There were nearly 800 Canadian casualties; many captured Canadians were prisoners for the rest of World War II. Japanese forces conquered Kuching, capital of Sarawak, Borneo, and landed in force at three points on the Philippine island of Luzon: Atimonan, Mauban, and Nasugbu. British forces conquered Barce, Benina, and Benghazi, Libya.

Diplomacy
U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and U.K. Prime Minister Winston Churchill made brief Christmas Eve addresses at the lighting of the Christmas tree on the lawn of the White House. Mr. Roosevelt said that Americans must prepare "our hearts...for the labor and sacrifice which lie ahead."

Religion
Pope Pius XII outlined a five-point peace plan based on the "integrity and security" of all states.

Academia
Brown University and Pembroke College announced that they would admit to the next freshman class outstanding students who had completed their third year of high school.

Journalism
Brazilian police closed the Japanese newspaper Brasil Asahi and German newspapers in Sao Paulo and Santa Catharina.

Technology
Ford Motor Company announced that it was ready to begin producing about 1,000 pounds daily of synthetic fiber developed from soybeans, to be used principally in upholstery.

Economics and finance
U.S. Federal Price Administrator Leon Henderson fixed prices for leather of all types, grades, and qualities at levels which prevailed between November 6-December 6.

75 years ago
1946

War
Vietnamese nationalist leader Ho Chi Minh claimed in a Christmas message that current fighting against French forces had been precipitated by a French demand for control of the police in Hanoi.

World events
U.S. military authorities in Frankfurt announced a Christmas amnesty for more than 800,000 Germans in the Ameican zone facing prosecution under denazification laws.

Diplomacy
The World Zionist Congress ended its 16-day meeting in Basel after adopting a resolution to boycott the Palestine conference in London in January 1947.

Politics and government
The French Fourth Republic officially came into existence as the Council of the Republic, the upper legislative house, held its first session.

A committee representing the United Kingdom, native Sultans, and the United Malaya nationalist organization proposed a new constitution for an independent "Federation of Malaya."

Following the death of Georgia Governor-elect Eugene Talmadge, Governor Ellis Arnall announced that he would turn over his post to Lieutenant Governor-elect M.E. Thompson, while supporters of Mr. Talmadge lobbied to have his son Herman declared Governor by the State Assembly.

Labour
The Mexican Oil Workers union voted not to fight the dismissal of 50 union leaders from their jobs in the government-owned oil industry.

Congress of Industrial Organizations National Maritime Union President Joseph Curran resigned as co-chairman of the Committee for Maritime Unity, ending cooperation between the CIO and the American Federation of Labor in the maritime industry.

70 years ago
1951

On television tonight
Hallmark Television Playhouse, on NBC
Tonight's broadcast: Amahl and the Night Visitors

Amahl and the Night Visitors, with music and libretto by Gian Carlo Menotti, was the first opera specifically composed for television in the United States, and received its premiere performance by the NBC Opera Theatre at NBC Studio 8H in Rockefeller Center, New York City. It was broadcast live on 35 network stations across the United States.



Lights Out, on NBC
Tonight's episode: This Way to Heaven, starring Kathleen Comegys, Beverly Dennis, Burgess Meredith, and Robert Webber

Africana
The Kingdom of Libya was proclaimed, with Idris as King.

War
The South Korean government claimed that 117,361 S.K. civilians were missing or known to have been abducted by the Communists.

Economics and finance
Brazilian President Getulio Vargas signed a decree raising minimum wages 150% to a monthly average of $45.

Labour
U.S. President Harry Truman threatened to take any measures necessary to prevent a steel industry strike and consequent damage to the national defense effort.

60 years ago
1961

Football
AFL
Championship @ Balboa Stadium, San Diego
Houston Oilers 10 @ San Diego Chargers 3

George Blanda completed a 35-yard pass to Billy Cannon in the 3rd quarter for the game's only touchdown as the Oilers beat the Chargers before 29,556 fans to win the AFL championship for the second straight season. It was a sloppy game, as the Oilers made 7 turnovers and the Chargers 6. Mr. Blanda kicked a 46-yard field goal in the 2nd quarter for the only scoring of the 1st half, and converted Mr. Cannon's touchdown. George Blair kicked a 12-yard field goal for San Diego in the 4th quarter. The winning head coach was Wally Lemm, who had replaced fired incumbent Lou Rymkus after 5 games. The Oilers were 1-3-1 when Mr. Lemm had become the team's head coach, and they had gone 9-0 in their last 10 regular season games under him.



50 years ago
1971

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey--Paul & Linda McCartney (6th week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Mamy Blue--Pop Tops (8th week at #1)

South Africa's Top 10 (Springbok Radio)
1 Mammy Blue--Charisma (10th week at #1)
2 Get Me Some Help--Neville Whitmill
3 Amen--Peanutbutter Conspiracy
4 Butterfly--Danyel Gerard
5 Cousin Norman--Marmalade
6 You--Peter Maffay
7 The Desiderata--Les Crane
8 Never Ending Song of Love--The New Seekers
9 Soley Soley--Middle of the Road
10 Daddy Don't You Walk So Fast--Daniel Boone

The only single entering the chart was Tokoloshe Man by John Kongos (#17).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CKLG)
1 Brand New Key--Melanie (2nd week at #1)
2 I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing (In Perfect Harmony)--The New Seekers
3 An Old Fashioned Love Song--Three Dog Night
4 American Pie--Don McLean
5 Sunshine--Jonathan Edwards
6 Devil You--Stampeders
7 No Good to Cry--The Poppy Family
8 Hey Girl--Donny Osmond
9 Day After Day--Badfinger
10 Family Affair--Sly & the Family Stone

Singles entering the chart were Stay with Me by Faces (#27); Where Did Our Love Go by Donnie Elbert (#28); Without You by Nilsson (#29); and Sour Suite by the Guess Who (#30).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CKVN)
1 (I Know) I'm Losing You--Rod Stewart with Faces
2 Brand New Key--Melanie
3 I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing (In Perfect Harmony)--The New Seekers
4 Day After Day--Badfinger
5 American Pie--Don McLean
6 Sunshine--Jonathan Edwards
7 Family Affair--Sly & the Family Stone
8 Can I Get a Witness--Lee Michaels
9 Devil You--Stampeders
10 Respect Yourself--The Staple Singers

Singles entering the chart were Black Dog by Led Zeppelin (#34); Without You by Nilsson (#35); Levon by Elton John (#36); Me and Bobby McGee by Jerry Lee Lewis (#37); Joy by the Ventures (#38); Tupelo Honey by Van Morrison (#39); and Happy Xmas (War is Over) by John Lennon/Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band with the Harlem Community Choir (#40).

Crime
U.S. President Richard Nixon commuted the prison term of former International Brotherhood of Teamsters President James Hoffa, who had served 4 years, 9 months, and 16 days of a 13-year sentence for jury tampering.

Disasters
LANSA Flight 508, a Lockheed L-188A Electra turboprop en route from Lima to Pucallpa, Peru, was struck by lightning and crashed in the Puerto Inca District in the Department of Huánuco, killing 91 of 92 people aboard. It remains the deadliest lightning strike in history.

40 years ago
1981

Hit parade
#1 single in Vancouver (CKLG): Young Turks--Rod Stewart (4th week at #1)

Edmonton's Top 20 (CHED)
1 Take Off--Bob and Doug McKenzie
2 Leather and Lace--Stevie Nicks with Don Henley
3 Don't Stop Believin'--Journey
4 Working for the Weekend--Loverboy
5 Physical--Olivia Newton-John
6 Lunatic Fringe--Red Rider
7 Trouble--Lindsey Buckingham
8 Waiting for a Girl Like You--Foreigner
9 Under Pressure--Queen & David Bowie
10 Oh No--Commodores
11 Centerfold--J. Geils Band
12 Our Lips are Sealed--Go-Go's
13 Young Turks--Rod Stewart
14 For Those About to Rock--AC/DC
15 Here I Am--Air Supply
16 My Girl (Gone, Gone, Gone)--Chilliwack
17 I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)--Daryl Hall & John Oates
18 Wind Him Up--Saga
19 Every Little Thing She Does is Magic--The Police
20 No Reply at All--Genesis

Edmonton's Top 10 (CFRN)
1 Hooked on Classics--The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (2nd week at #1)
2 Waiting for a Girl Like You--Foreigner
3 Wired for Sound--Cliff Richard
4 Harden My Heart--Quarterflash
5 Yesterday's Songs--Neil Diamond
6 Why Do Fools Fall in Love--Diana Ross
7 Leather and Lace--Stevie Nicks with Don Henley
8 Comin' in and Out of Your Life--Barbra Streisand
9 The Theme from Hill Street Blues--Mike Post
10 Heart Like a Wheel--Steve Miller Band

25 years ago
1996

Disasters
A Learjet 35 en route from Bridgeport, Connecticut to Lebanon, New Hampshire crashed into Smarts Mountain near Dorchester, New Hampshire, killing both pilots on board. The wreckage wasn't found until November 13, 1999.

20 years ago
2001

World events
A truce between the new government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam went into effect.

Politics and government
Patrick Manning took office as Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.

10 years ago
2011

Died on this date
Johannes Heesters, 108. Dutch-born German entertainer. Mr. Heesters was an actor and singer who began his career in his native Netherlands at the age of 16, and moved to Germany in 1935. He was a popular star in German films during the Nazi era, and performed on stage for German soldiers and SS personnel in camps and barracks during World War II. Mr. Heesters easily made the transition to postwar popular culture, but his previous Nazi associations ttracted controversy in later years. He made his last stage appearance on October 31, 2011 in Munich, and died 19 days after his 108th birthday, as perhaps the oldest entertainer with the longest career in history.