December 31, 2021

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Mike Matson!

530 years ago
1491

Born on this date
Jacques Cartier. French explorer. Mr. Cartier, a native of Saint-Malo, Brittany, led expeditions for France in 1534, 1535-1536, and 1541-1542, becoming the first European to describe and map the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and the shores of the Saint Lawrence River, which he named "The Country of Canadas" after the Iroquoian names for the two big settlements he saw at Stadacona (Quebec City) and at Hochelaga (Montreal Island). He entered and departed 50 undiscovered harbours without serious mishap or losing a ship, and was one of the first to formally acknowledge that the New World was a land mass separate from Europe/Asia. Mr. Cartier spent his later years in Saint-Malo and his nearby estate, and died during an epidemic, possibly typhus, on September 1, 1557 at the age of 65.

520 years ago
1501

War
The First Battle of Cannanore commenced at Cannanore, India between Portuguese Empire forces commmanded by João da Nova and the Zamorin people of Calicut. It marked one of the earliest recorded deliberate uses of a naval line of battle, and for resolving the battle by cannon alone. The battle ended in a Portuguese victory two days later.

330 years ago
1691

Died on this date
Robert Boyle, 64. Irish chemist and physicist. Mr. Boyle was one of the pioneers of the modern scientific method, and was best known for Boyle's law, which describes the inversely proportional relationship between the absolute pressure and volume of a gas, if the temperature is kept constant within a closed system. He's largely regarded today as the founder of modern chemistry; his book The Sceptical Chymist (1661) was a major text in the history of chemistry. Mr. Boyle was an alchemist, but his experiments were unsuccessful. He was a devout Anglican, and believed that evidence from nature could provide evidence for the existence of God. Mr. Boyle died from paralysis after more than 20 years of declining health.

225 years ago
1796

Americana
Baltimore was officially incorporated as a city.

140 years ago
1881

Crime
Charles Guiteau, recently convicted of the assassination of U.S. President James A. Garfield, wrote a New Year's greeting to his jailer.

110 years ago
1911

Born on this date
Dal Stivens. Australian writer. Mr. Stivens produced six novels and eight collections of short stories, often based on Australian folk tales, from 1936-1976, with his popularity peaking in the 1940s and '50s. He was also a naturalist and artist, and wrote non-fiction under several pseudonyms. Mr. Stivens died on June 15, 1997 at the age of 85.

100 years ago
1921

Died on this date
Boies Penrose, 61. U.S. politician. Mr. Penrose, a Republican, represented Philadelphia County in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (1885) and represented the 6th District in the Pennsylvania Senate (1887-1897). He represented Pennsylvania in the U.S. Senate from 1897 until his death from a pulmonary thrombosis in his Washington penthouse in the last hour of 1921.

90 years ago
1931

Weather
Henderson Lake, British Columbia ended the year with a record total of 319.78 inches of rain, making it the wettest place on record in Canadian history.

Economics and finance
The Canadian stock index plunged 37.2% and Gross National Product declined 12.7%, making it the worst business year on record in the country.

80 years ago
1941

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): It's a Great Day for the Irish--Judy Garland; The Jesters (1st month at #1)

On television tonight
The first televised New Year’s Eve special aired on WNBT in New York. It consisted of entertainment from the Rainbow Room, atop the RCA Building in Rockefeller Center.

Died on this date
Sol Hess, 69. U.S. writer. Mr. Hess and Wallace Carlson created the comic strip The Nebbs in 1923, with Mr. Hess providing the writing and Mr. Carlson doing the illustrating. Mr. Hess died of a heart attack at his apartment in the Shoreham Hotel in Chicago. His daughter Betsy and her husband Stanley Baer took over the writing for The Nebbs after Mr. Hess's death, and by 1947 had folded the strip into another strip of theirs, The Toodle Family.

War
Admiral Chester Nimitz assumed command of the U.S. Navy's Pacific Fleet in a simple ceremony at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Japan demanded that U.S. forces in the Philippines surrender, and rejected the designation of Manila as an open city. U.S. Army General Douglas MacArthur reported that his forces were consistently falling back in the face of heavy Japanese assaults.

Diplomacy
Venezuela severed diplomatic relations with Germany, Italy, and Japan.

The German government announced that German Ambassador to Argentina Baron Edmund von Thermann had been recalled.

Politics and government
U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Jesse Jones as a member of the Supply Priorities and Allocation Board.

Communications
The U.S. Justice Department extended its ban on the possession of shortwave wireless sets and hand cameras by enemy aliens to cover the entire country, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Business
The U.S. Justice Department filed civil suits in Chicago against the National Broadcasting Company and Columbia Broadcasting System, charging that through their ownership of key stations and the use of exclusive contracts the two chains almost completely dominated the country's broadcasting industry.

75 years ago
1946

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Sioux City Sue--Bing Crosby; Kate Smith (1st month at #1)

War
U.S. President Harry S. Truman officially proclaimed the end of hostilities in World War II, terminating his emergency powers and 20 wartime control laws. He admitted that the move was an attempt to cooperate with the new Republican-controlled Congress.

World events
Yugoslavia released Ray Stoeckel, an American jailed on espionage charges.

Politics and government
The Soviet newspaper Izvestia assailed the merger of the British and American occupation zones in Germany as a violation of the 1945 Potsdam agreement.

The Republican Party steering committee voted to oppose the seating of Senator Theodore G. Bilbo (Democrat--Mississippi) in the new Congress to take office on January 3, 1947, because of speeches he had made in opposition to Negro voting, and accusations of graft. Mr. Bilbo had first been elected to the Senate in 1934.

Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers in Japan General Douglas MacArthur stated in Tokyo that Japan had made "major advances" toward establishing a democratic social and political system.

Energy
U.S. President Truman signed an executive order turning the Army's atomic energy facilities over to the Atomic Energy Commission.

Health
Mexican cattle, sheep, goats, and hogs were banned from the United States because of an epidemic of hoof and mouth disease.

Labour
The U.S. National Labor Relations Board recognized the right of supervisory workers to organize when it ordered Jones and Laughlin Steel Corporation to bargain with a United Mine Workers of America affiliate that accepted foremen as members.

70 years ago
1951

On television tonight
Lights Out, on NBC
Tonight's episode: Of Time and Third Avenue, starring Henry Daniell, Edward Gargan, and Bethel Leslie

Died on this date
Maxim Litvinov, 75. U.S.S.R. politician and diplomat. Mr. Litvinov, born Meir Henoch Wallach, joined the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party (SDLP) in Kiev in 1898 when the party was an illegal organization, and adopted the name Maxim Litvinov. He was arrested in 1901 and spent 18 months in captivity, but escaped, and spent several years in exile in Geneva and London. Mr. Litvinov met V.I. Lenin in 1903, and joined the Bolsheviks, returning to Russia during the 1905 Revolution. He fled the country again in 1906, and lived in England from 1908-1918, returning to Moscow late in 1918. Mr. Litvinov served as a diplomat during the 1920s, advocating disarmament and favouring Soviet support of the Kellogg-Briand Pact of 1928, which outlawed war as an instrument of national policy. He proposed the Litvinov Protocol, in which signatories formally proclaimed themselves in mutual compliance with the goals of the Kellogg-Briand Pact. It was signed in Moscow in February 1929 by the Soviet Union, Poland, Romania, Latvia, and Estonia, and later by several other countries. Mr. Litvinov was People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union (1930-1939), and was successful in obtaining American recognition of the Soviet Union. He was dismissed for holding anti-German views, while dictator Josef Stalin was negotiating a non-aggression pact with Germany. Mr. Litvinov served as Soviet Ambassador to the United States (1941-1943), and was Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs (1943-1946), but was dismissed after giving an interview to an American journalist in which he stated his belief that war between the U.S.A. and U.S.S.R. was inevitable. Mr. Litvinov reportedly died of a heart attack in Moscow after suffering serious heart problems, but there were rumours that he was assassinated on Mr. Stalin's instructions to the MVD (Interior Ministry), dying from injuries received after a truck deliberately collided with his car as he rounded a bend on the way to his dacha.

War
Communist negotiators at Panmunjom agreed to furnish information on 50,000 United Nations soldiers--mostly South Koreans--believed to have been taken prisoner but not accounted for on lists submitted by the Communist truce team.

Diplomacy
British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden departed aboard the Queen Mary for New York. The purpose of the trip was to have talks with U.S. President Harry Truman in Washington, followed by a visit to Canada for talks with Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent.

Terrorism
Egyptian extremists announced that they would pay any "partisan patriot" $2,800 for killing British Suez Zone commander General George Erskine, and $280 for killing any other British officer.

World events
The Bolivian government ordered a New Year's Day amnesty for 35 members of the rightist National Revolutionary Movement exiled or jailed for participating in a revolutionary plot.

Energy
Inventor Philip Ohmart announded the development of a radioelectric cell capable of converting radioactive energy into electric energy.

Economics and finance
After distributing more than $13.3 billion in U.S. aid to European countries since 1948, the Marshall Plan expired; its functions would be taken over by the new U.S. Mutual Security Agency.

U.S. Mutual Security Administrator Paul Porter announced in Madrid that the United States would give Spain financial aid under a bilateral arrangement similar to Yugoslavia's.

Labour
United Steelworkers of America President Philip Murray ordered 30,000 Kaiser Aluminum and Aluminum Company of America workers to continue working under their old contracts through January 1947, ending the threat of a strike in the aluminum industry.

60 years ago
1961

Television
Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ), Ireland's state broadcaster, launched its first national television service at 7 P.M., with an address by Irish President Eamon De Valera. Messages from John Cardinal d'Alton and Taoiseach Seán Lemass followed, and then a live concert, hosted by Radio Éireann chairman Eamonn Andrews, was broadcast from the Gresham Hotel in Dublin. The show, which was a countdown to the New Year, included appearances by tenor Patrick O'Hagan, the Artane Boys' Band, and Michael O'Hehir.

Music
The Beach Boys made their first live appearance, playing three songs--including their debut single, Surfin'-- as part of a Ritchie Valens memorial concert at Long Beach Civic Auditorium in Long Beach, California. Ike & Tina Turner were the headline act.

Football
NFL
Championship @ City Stadium, Green Bay
New York 0 @ Green Bay 37

Green Bay quarterback Bart Starr threw 2 touchdown passes to Ron Kramer and another to Boyd Dowler, and Paul Hornung rushed for a touchdown and kicked 4 converts and 3 field goals as the Packers routed the Giants before 39,029 fans in the first NFL championship game ever played in Green Bay. The score was 0-0 after the 1st quarter, but the Packers scored 24 points in the 2nd quarter and 10 more in the 3rd. It was Green Bay's first NFL championship since 1944, and their first under head coach Vince Lombardi. Hear the radio broadcast here, here, here, here, here, and here.



50 years ago
1971

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey--Paul & Linda McCartney (7th week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Mamy Blue--Pop Tops (9th 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 I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing (In Perfect Harmony)--The New Seekers
2 American Pie--Don McLean
3 Brand New Key--Melanie
4 Sunshine--Jonathan Edwards
5 Day After Day--Badfinger
6 Devil You--Stampeders
7 Have You Seen Her--Chi-Lites
8 All I Really Need is You--Sonny & Cher
9 Can I Get a Witness--Lee Michaels
10 Stay with Me--Faces

Singles entering the chart were Never Been to Spain by Three Dog Night (#26); Black Dog by Led Zeppelin (#27); White Lies, Blue Eyes by Bullet (#28); Mexican Lady by Steel River (#29); and Levon by Elton John (#30).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CKVN)
1 American Pie--Don McLean
2 Day After Day--Badfinger
3 Sunshine--Jonathan Edwards
4 Life in the Bloodstream--The Guess Who
5 One Monkey Don't Stop No Show--The Honey Cone
6 Brand New Key--Melanie
7 I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing (In Perfect Harmony)--The New Seekers
8 Respect Yourself--The Staple Singers
9 Love Me, Love Me, Love--Frank Mills
10 Hey Big Brother--Rare Earth

Singles entering the chart were Hallelujah by Sweathog (#27); I Turn to You by Spring (#33); Where Did Our Love Go by Donnie Elbert (#34); Anticipation by Carly Simon (#38); Mexican Lady by Steel River (#39); and Too True Mama by Crowfoot (#40).

Calgary's Top 10 (Glenn's Music)
1 Baby I'm-A Want You--Bread
2 Do I Love You--Paul Anka
3 Day After Day--Badfinger
4 I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing (In Perfect Harmony)--New Seekers
5 Lonesome Mary--Chilliwack
6 Got to Be There--Michael Jackson
7 Take it Slow--Lighthouse
8 American Pie, Parts I and II--Don McLean
9 The Desiderata--Les Crane
10 I Don't Need No Doctor--Humble Pie
Pick hit of the week: Brand New Key--Melanie

Died on this date
Pete Duel, 31. U.S. actor. Mr. Duel, born Peter Deuel, appeared in several television programs and movies. He co-starred in the television comedy series Love on a Rooftop (1966-1967), but was best known for playing Hannibal Heyes (alias Joshua Smith) in the Western series Alias Smith and Jones (1971), which was in its second season when Mr. Duel, who was suffering from depression and drinking heavily, committed suicide by shooting himself.

Hal Weaver, 28. Canadian disc jockey. Mr. Weaver began his career at CKRD in Red Deer; he worked in Edmonton (CJCA), Hamilton (CKOC), Toronto (CHUM), and Vancouver (CJOR, CKVN) before dying of cancer.

40 years ago
1981

Hit parade
Vancouver's Top 10 (CKLG)
1 Physical--Olivia Newton-John (2nd week at #1)
2 Young Turks--Rod Stewart
3 Don't Stop Believin'--Journey
4 Leather and Lace--Stevie Nicks with Don Henley
5 Trouble--Lindsey Buckingham
6 Harden My Heart--Quarterflash
7 I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)--Daryl Hall & John Oates
8 Private Eyes--Daryl Hall & John Oates
9 Waiting for a Girl Like You--Foreigner
10 Why Do Fools Fall in Love--Diana Ross

Singles entering the chart were Tainted Love by Soft Cell (#18); and Hooked on Classics by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (#20).

Edmonton's Top 10 (CFRN)
1 Hooked on Classics--The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (3rd week at #1)
2 Leather and Lace--Stevie Nicks with Don Henley
3 Comin' In and Out of Your Life--Barbra Streisand
4 Yesterday's Songs--Neil Diamond
5 Harden My Heart--Quarterflash
6 Come Go with Me--The Beach Boys
7 I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)--Daryl Hall & John Oates
8 I Wouldn't Have Missed it for the World--Ronnie Milsap
9 Cool Night--Paul Davis
10 She's Got a Way--Billy Joel

World events
A coup d'état in Ghana removed President Hilla Limann's People's National Party (PNP) government and replaced it with the Provisional National Defence Council, led by Flight Lieutenant Jerry Rawlings. Fl. Lt. Rawlings had previously seized power in June 1979, and handed it over to Mr. Limann and the PNP three months later.

30 years ago
1991

World events
As of this date, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics ceased to exist, as all official Soviet Union institutions ceased operations.

Terrorism
17 Haitian Liberation Organization activists surrendered to police after occupying the Canadian Embassy in Port-au-Prince for six weeks.

25 years ago
1996

Died on this date
Wesley Addy, 83. U.S. actor. Mr. Addy was a character actor in numerous plays, television programs, and movies. His films included Seconds (1966); Tora! Tora! Tora! 1970) and The Verdict (1982).

Music
About 4,000 people made their way to the remote location of Canaan Downs, Tākaka, New Zealand to take part in the first Gathering, a two-day festival for electronic dance music fans.

20 years ago
2001

Died on this date
Eileen Heckart, 82. U.S. actress. Miss Heckart, born Anna Eileen Herbert, had a career spanning nearly 60 years, usually playing supporting roles in plays, movies, and television programs. She won numerous awards, including an Academy Award for her supporting performance in Butterflies are Free (1972); two Emmy Awards; and a Tony Award in 2000 for lifetime achievement. Miss Heckart died of lung cancer.

Politics and government
Eduardo Camano assumed the position of acting President of Argentina, the day after the resignation of interim President Adolfo Rodriguez Saa.

10 years ago
2011

Space
The United States succeeded in putting GRAIL A (Ebb), the first of two Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) satellites in orbit around the Moon. Grail B (FLow) followed 25 hours later. The spacecraft had been launched on September 10, 2011.



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December 16, 2021

590 years ago
1431

Franciana
King Henry VI of England was crowned King of France at Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral.

260 years ago
1761

War
After a four-month siege, Russian forces under Pyotr Rumyantsev took the Prussian fortress of Kolberg.

210 years ago
1811

Disasters
The first two in a series of four severe earthquakes, with an estimated magnitude of 7.7, struck the central Mississippi River Valley in the vicinity of New Madrid, Missouri.
130 years ago
1891

Scandal
Honoré Mercier was dismissed as Premier of Québec by Lieutenant-Governor Auguste-Réal Angers after a federal Senate inquiry and provincial Royal Commission had found that Mr. Mercier had awarded subsidies for the Baie des Chaleurs Railway in return for Liberal party funds. Mr. Mercier was succeeded as Premier by Charles Boucher de Boucherville, who had previously served as Premier from 1874-1878.

120 years ago
1901

Born on this date
Margaret Mead. U.S. anthropologist. Dr. Mead influenced the sexual revolution and feminist movement through books such as Coming of Age in Samoa (1928) and Sex and Temperament in Three Primitive Societies (1935), popularizing the ideas that sexual morality and sex roles were largely influenced by culture. She was a pioneer among anthropologists in living with native peoples in order to study them. Dr. Mead died on November 15, 1978 at the age of 76.

Radio
Guglielmo Marconi was officially notified by the Anglo-American Telegraph Company that it would take legal action against him unless he immediately ceased his wireless experiments and removed his equipment from Newfoundland. Anglo-American had a fifty-year monopoly on electrical communications in Newfoundland that began in 1858, and it was determined to hinder radio telegraphy, which was a serious threat to its transatlantic electric telegraph business operated by submarine cables. Mr. Marconi soon decided to move his base of operations to Cape Breton Island, and was welcomed there on December 26 with open arms.

100 years ago
1921

Born on this date
Eulalio González. Mexican entertainer. Eulalio "Lalo" González Ramírez was a singer-songwriter, actor, and screenwriter who was a radio announcer before beginning a career in movies in 1951, appearing in more than 70 films in a career spanning almost 40 years. His comic character "Piporro" was regarded as the embodiment of norteño (northern Mexican) popular culture, and his films often dealt with situations regarding the border between Mexico and the United States. Mr. González was nominated for four Ariel Awards, winning for his minor role in Espaldas mojadas (1955) and for his comedy performance in El pocho (1970). He died of a heart attack on September 1, 2003 at the age of 81.

Died on this date
Camille Saint-Saëns, 86. French musician and composer. Mr. Saint-Saëns was a child prodigy as a pianist, and served as a church organist in Paris for 25 years. He was a composer of the Romantic era, known for works such as the tone poem Danse macabre (1875); the suite Le Carnaval des animaux (The Carnival of the Animals) (1886); and Symphony No. 3 in C minor aka "Organ Symphony" (1887). Mr. Saint-Saëns promoted modern music when he was young, but in later years he was regarded as a reactionary.

90 years ago
1931

On the radio
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Richard Gordon and Leigh Lovell, on NBC
Tonight's episode: The Adventure of the Engineer's Thumb

80 years ago
1941

War
The U.S.S.R. announced the recapture of Kalinin, 90 miles northwest of Moscow. Six German Gestapo agents were killed by a bomb near Paris. The Czechoslovakian government-in-exile in London declared that a state of war existed between Czechoslovakia and all countries at war with the U.K., U.S.A., and U.S.S.R. Japanese forces drove toward Panang in northwestern Malaya and occupied Miri, Sarawak. The U.S. Navy announced that Japanese warships had bombarded the U.S. naval outpost of Johnston Island and that a submarine had shelled the shipping centre of Kahului on the Hawaiian island of Maui during the previous 24 hours. U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed a five-man board led by Supreme Court Justice Owen Roberts to investigate whether there had been any negligence by the U.S. Army and Navy in the December 7 Japanese attack on the naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The United States Weather Bureau announced that publication of long-range forecasts would be banned for the duration of World War II as a security measure. HMCS Calgary was commissioned for the Royal Canadian Navy at Esquimalt, British Columbia. Mexican President Manuel Avila Camacho asked the Senate for authority to permit troops, warships, and planes of American nations fighting the Axis to use Mexican territory, waters, and ports for the duration of World War II.

World events
The Argentine cabinet declared a state of siege throughout the country; all constitutional guarantees were suspended.

Politics and government
Both houses of the United States Congress passed legislation giving President Roosevelt wartime powers similar to those held by President Woodrow Wilson during World War I. Mr. Roosevelt appointed Associated Press executive news editor Byron Price as director of the new censorship office.

Law
U.S. Attorney General Francis Biddle notified U.S. attorneys not to prosecute persons arrested on charges of seditious speech without the consent of the Justice Department.

Aviation
The U.S. National Aeronautics Association awarded its highest honour, the Collier Trophy, to Dr. Sanford A. Moss for "outstanding success in high altitude flying through the development of the turbo-supercharger."

Labour
The American Federation of Labor issued a declaration of war labour policy, renewing its request to the Congress of Industrial Organizations "for unity in the labor movement."

75 years ago
1946

Hit parade
U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Ole Buttermilk Sky--Kay Kyser and his Orchestra
--Hoagy Carmichael
--Helen Carroll and the Satisfiers
--Paul Weston and his Orchestra with Matt Dennis
2 Rumors are Flying--Frankie Carle and his Orchestra
--The Andrews Sisters with Les Paul
--Betty Rhodes
--Tony Martin
3 The Old Lamp-Lighter--Sammy Kaye and his "Swing and Sway" Orchestra
--Kay Kyser and his Orchestra
--Hal Derwin
4 (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons--King Cole Trio
--Eddy Howard and his Orchestra
5 This is Always--Harry James and his Orchestra
--Jo Stafford
6 The Things We Did Last Summer--Frank Sinatra
--Vaughn Monroe and his Orchestra
7 To Each His Own--Eddy Howard and his Orchestra with Eddy Howard and Trio
--The Ink Spots
--Freddy Martin and his Orchestra with Stuart Wade
--Tony Martin
--The Modernaires with Paula Kelly
8 Five Minutes More--Frank Sinatra
--Tex Beneke and the Glenn Miller Orchestra
--The Three Suns
8 South America, Take it Away--Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters
--Xavier Cugat and the Waldorf-Astoria Orchestra
10 Passe--Tex Beneke and the Glenn Miller Orchestra
--Margaret Whiting

Singles entering the chart were Oh, But I Do, with versions by Margaret Whiting; Tex Beneke and the Glenn Miller Orchestra; and Harry James and his Orchestra (#19); A Rainy Night in Rio by Sam Donahue and his Orchestra (#23); and Sonata, with versions by Perry Como; and Jo Stafford (#30).

On the radio
The Casebook of Gregory Hood, starring Elliott Lewis and Howard McNear, on MBS
Tonight`s episode: Pearls are Unlucky

War
Reports from Irkutsk revealed that three million German and Japanese prisoners of war were building railways and highways in Siberia.

Defense
U.S. President Harry Truman approved a directive placing the armed forces under a single commander in each overseas theatre.

Politics and government
French Prime Minister Leon Blum, a Socialist, formed an all-Socialist cabinet with Guy Mollet as Minister of State.

Egyptian Prime Minister Mahmoud Fahmy Nokrashy Pasha receive a vote of confidence from Parliament on his intention to bring about a union with Sudan.

Scandal
Mississippi contractors told the U.S. Senate War Investigating Committee that they had given Sen. Theodore Bilbo (Democrat--Mississippi) a Cadillac and other gifts in the hope of gaining government contracts.

Economics and finance
Argentine President Juan Peron announced the liberalization of credit, allowing the government to make home and business loans at 2%-5% interest.

Labour
The New York Court of Appeals upheld the U.S. government's right to discharge employees suspected of disloyalty by rejecting the reinstatement plea of Morton Friedman, a War Manpower Commission employee dismissed for associating with a Communist-controlled group.

The Congress of Industrial Organizations United Office and Professional Workers announced a policy to eliminate "Communist interference" in its affairs.

Football
NFL
Bert Bell signed a new five-year contract as National Football League Commissioner, effective January 1, 1947. Mr. Bell had previously signed a three-year pact after replacing Elmer Layden early in 1946.

70 years ago
1951

On television tonight
Out There, on CBS
Tonight's episode: Seven Temporary Moons, starring Ann Gillis, Robert P. Lieb, Robert Pastene, and G. Albert Smith

Dragnet, starring Jack Webb and Bart Yarborough, on NBC Tonight's episode: The Human Bomb

This was the first episode of the series, which had been running on radio since 1949.



Died on this date
Dorothy Dix, 90. U.S. journalist. Miss Dix, whose real name was Elizabeth Meriwether Gilmer, adopted her pseudonym when she began writing obituaries, recipes and theatre reviews for the New Orleans Daily Picayune in 1896. She soon began her advice column Dorothy Dix Talks, which achieved widespread popularity after being acquired by the Public Ledger Syndicate in 1923. The column was published in as many as 273 newspapers, and at its peak in 1940, Miss Dix was receiving 100,000 letters a year, and being read by 60 million people. She also reported on major murder trials for the New York Evening Journal for 15 years. Mrs. Gilmer supported women's suffrage, and was still the most widely-read and highest-paid female journalist in the United States at the time of her death, four weeks after her 90th birthday.

Politics and government
Uruguayan voters approved a proposal to abolish the presidency and set up a nine-man State Council in its place.

Society
The Iranian Parliament passed a resolution to consider legislation banning alcoholic beverages in Iran in line with the Islamic doctrine of total abstinence.

Labour
The Congress of Industrial Organizations urged U.S. President Harry Truman to raise the minimum wage from 75¢ to $1.25 per hour.

Disasters
A Miami Airlines C-46 crashed shortly after takeoff in Elizabeth, New Jersey, killing all 56 passengers and crew members in the U.S.A.'s second-worst air disaster to date.

Football
NFL
Chicago Cardinals (3-9) 24 @ Chicago Bears (7-5) 14
Cleveland (11-1) 24 @ Philadelphia (4-8) 9
Detroit (7-4-1) 17 @ San Francisco (7-4-1) 21
Green Bay (3-9) 14 @ Los Angeles (8-4) 42
New York Giants (9-2-1) 27 @ New York Yanks (1-9-2) 17
Pittsburgh (4-7-1) 20 @ Washington (5-7) 10



60 years ago
1961

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): My Boomerang Won't Come Back--Charlie Drake (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy: Nata per me--Adriano Celentano (5th week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Weiße Rosen aus Athen--Nana Mouskouri (9th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (Dutch Top 40): I'm Gonna Knock on Your Door--Eddie Hodges

#1 single in the U.K. (Record Mirror): Tower of Strength--Frankie Vaughan (2nd week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 The Lion Sleeps Tonight--The Tokens (2nd week at #1)
2 Goodbye Cruel World--James Darren
3 Please Mr. Postman--The Marvelettes
4 Big Bad John--Jimmy Dean
5 Walk on By--Leroy Van Dyke
6 Run to Him--Bobby Vee
7 The Twist--Chubby Checker
8 Moon River--Jerry Butler
--Henry Mancini, his Orchestra and Chorus
9 Let There Be Drums--Sandy Nelson
10 Peppermint Twist - Part I--Joey Dee & the Starliters

Versions of Maria by the Clebanoff Strings and Johnny Mathis were now listed with that of Roger Williams, standing at #61. Singles entering the chart were Baby it's You by the Shirelles (#71); Twist-Her by Bill Black's Combo (#74); Norman by Sue Thompson (#77); The Wanderer by Dion (#79); Jingle Bell Rock by Bobby Rydell/Chubby Checker (#87); A Little Bitty Tear by Burl Ives (#88); Letter Full of Tears by Gladys Knight & the Pips (#89); She's Everything (I Wanted You to Be) by Ral Donner (#90); Dear Lady Twist by Gary (U.S.) Bonds (#94); The Bells at My Wedding by Paul Anka (#98); Lonesome Number One by Don Gibson (#99); I Could Have Loved You so Well by Ray Peterson (#100); Baby's First Christmas by Connie Francis (also #100); and Go on Home by Patti Page (also #100).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CFUN)
1 The Wanderer--Dion
2 Walkin' with My Angel--Bobby Vee
3 Jingle Bell Rock--Bobby Rydell/Chubby Checker
--Bobby Helms
4 Run to Him--Bobby Vee
5 Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen--Neil Sedaka
6 The Twist--Chubby Checker
7 The Lion Sleeps Tonight--The Tokens
8 Static--Dana and Dexter
9 Hey! Little Girl--Del Shannon
10 Peppermint Twist--Joey Dee & the Starliters
--Danny Peppermint and the Jumping Jacks

Singles entering the chart were Norman by Sue Thompson (#26); Multiplication by Bobby Darin (#32); Memories of Maria by Jerry Byrd and his Guitar (#39); Young Love by Sonny James (#42); Let's Twist Again by Chubby Checker (#46); Dear Lady Twist by Gary (U.S.) Bonds (#48); and The Majestic by Dion (#50). Multiplication was from the movie Come September. Memories of Maria was written by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson. Young Love was a new version of the song that had been a major hit for Mr. James in 1957.

Vancouver's Top 10 (CKWX)
1 The Twist--Chubby Checker
2 The Lion Sleeps Tonight--The Tokens
3 Walkin' with My Angel/Run to Him--Bobby Vee
4 The Wanderer/The Majestic--Dion
5 Peppermint Twist--Joey Dee & the Starliters
6 Gypsy Rover--The Highwaymen
7 Hey! Little Girl--Del Shannon
8 Blue Hawaii (LP)--Elvis Presley
9 Dreamy Eyes--Johnny Tillotson
10 Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen--Neil Sedaka

Singles entering the chart were Six White Boomers by Rolf Harris (#20); Norman by Sue Thompson (#22); Multiplication by Bobby Darin (#36); My Boomerang Won't Come Back by Charlie Drake (#37); Small Sad Sam by Phil McLean (#39); and Tennessee Flat-Top Box by Johnny Cash (#40).

On television tonight
The Roaring 20's, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Blondes Prefer Gentlemen

Died on this date
Hans Rebane, 78. Estonian diplomat, politician, and journalist. Mr. Rebane was editor-in-chief of the newspapers Postimees (1913-1914, 1916-1917) and Eesti Päevaleht (1918-1927) before being elected to the Riigikogu and serving as Estonia's Minister of Foreign Affairs (1927-1928). He was Estonian Minister in Finland (1931-1937) and Latvia (1937-1940), losing the latter position when Latvia was occupied by Soviet forces. Mr. Rebane was arrested by Soviet authorities, but escaped, and fled to Sweden in 1944. He served as Minister and acting Minister of Foreign Affairs (1945-1949). Mr. Rebane died eight days before his 79th birthday.

Basketball
NBA
Philadelphia (18-12) 112 @ Chicago (6-21) 110

Wilt Chamberlain scored 50 points for the Warriors as they overcame a 60-54 halftime deficit to edge the Packers at the International Amphitheater, beginning a streak of 7 games in which he scored at least 50 points. Walt Bellamy led Chicago scorers with 45 points.

Football
NFL
Baltimore (8-6) 27 @ San Francisco (7-6-1) 24

50 years ago
1971

Hit parade
#1 single in France (IFOP): Le rire du sergent--Michel Sardou (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): I Don't Know How to Love Him--Tina and the Real McCoy (2nd week at #1)

War
The surrender of East Pakistani forces in Dacca concluded the Bangladesh Liberation War and the Indo-Pakistani War.

Asiatica
The United Kingdom recognized Bahrain's independence, which is commemorated annually as Bahrain's National Day.

Politics and government
A three-day federal-provincial conference of Canadian health ministers began in Ottawa; the health ministers of Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia stated major objections to the new federal formula for co-paying hospital and Medicare programs.

30 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Piece of My Wish--Miki Imai (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Laatikoita--Sielun Veljet (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Germany (Media Control): Let's Talk About Sex--Salt-N-Pepa (5th week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Hits)
1 Black or White--Michael Jackson (2nd week at #1)
2 It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday--Boyz II Men
3 Set Adrift on Memory Bliss--P.M. Dawn
4 All 4 Love--Color Me Badd
5 Can't Let Go--Mariah Carey
6 Wildside--Mark Mark & the Funky Bunch
7 When a Man Loves a Woman--Michael Bolton
8 Keep Coming Back--Richard Marx
9 Finally--Ce Ce Peniston
10 No Son of Mine--Genesis

Singles entering the chart were Addams Groove by MC Hammer (#32); Is it Good to You by Heavy D & the Boyz (#41); Hearts Don't Think by Natural Selection (#45); and Keep it Comin' by Keith Sweat (#50).

Diplomacy
The United Nations General Assembly rescinded its 1975 resolution equating Zionism with racism.

Asiatica
Kazakhstan declared its independence from the U.S.S.R.

Abominations
At Victoria General Hospital in Halifax, Bernard Bradley performed Canada's first transplant of tissue from aborted fetuses to battle the effects of Parkinson's disease; the procedure stimulated dopamine.

Politics and government
Canadian Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Tom Siddon signed the Nunavut land deal with Inuit of the eastern Arctic after 15 years of negotiations; the federal government agreed to create a third territory in the North called Nunavut, with $1.15 billion in grants and title to 250,000 square kilometres. A plebiscite was set for April 1992.

Business
Conrad Black's Hollinger Inc. purchased 15% of Australia's John Fairfax Group Ltd. for $1.32 billion, making Hollinger the largest single shareholder.

25 years ago
1996

Hit parade
#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Macarena Christmas--Los del Rio (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Norway (VG-lista): I Can't Help Myself (I Love You, I Want You)--The Kelly Family (7th week at #1)

#1 single in Germany (Media Control): Time to Say Goodbye--Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Head Over Feet--Alanis Morissette (5th week at #1)
2 Mouth--Merril Bainbridge
3 When You Love a Woman--Journey
4 How Bizarre--OMC
5 Black Cloud Rain--Corey Hart
6 Bittersweet Me--R.E.M.
7 He Liked to Feel It--Crash Test Dummies
8 Angels of the Silences--Counting Crows
9 Diggin' a Hole--Big Sugar
10 Dance Into the Light--Phil Collins

Singles entering the chart were Don't Let Go by En Vogue (#81); One Headlight by the Wallflowers (#82); The Grease Megamix by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John (#86); A Long December by Counting Crows (#87); Bang Bang by ZZ Top (#88); Wannabe by the Spice Girls (#89); Get it While You Can by Lawrence Gowan (#97); Any Road Back by Universal Honey (#98); and I Believe I Can Fly by R. Kelly (#100).

Politics and government
Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien apologized for not telling the truth about the Goods and Services Tax, i.e., for giving Canadians the impression during the 1993 federal election campaign that his government would eliminate the Goods and Services Tax. The reason Canadians got that impression was because that was what Mr. Chrétien had promised.

20 years ago
2001

Died on this date
Stuart Adamson, 43. U.K. musician. Mr. Adamson, a native of Manchester who grew up in Scotland, was a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and keyboard player with the punk rock band Skids in the 1970s and '80s and the alternative country band the Raphaels in the 1990s, but was best known as the lead singer and guitarist for the rock group Big Country from the early 1980s through the 2000s, achieving hits such as In a Big Country (1983) and Look Away (1985). He was a heavy drinker for years, sobered up for about a decade, but began drinking again. Mr. Adamson was estranged from his wife Melanie, who reported him missing on November 26, 2001, the day she filed for divorce. He was found in a hotel room in Honolulu, having hanged himself with an electrical cord from a pole in a wardrobe, after having consumed a "very strong" amount of alcohol.

Protest
More than 10,000 people joined the Scottish Countryside Alliance in the streets of Edinburgh to protest decisions being made on rural affairs.

10 years ago
2011

Died on this date
Dan Frazer, 90. U.S. actor. Mr. Frazer was a character actor in cinema and television in a career spanning more than 50 years. He was perhaps best known for playing Chief of Detectives Captain Frank McNeil in the television police series Kojak (1973-1978). Mr. Frazer died of cardiac arrest, 26 days after his 90th birthday.

Robert Easton, 81. U.S. actor. Mr. Easton, whose full name was Robert Easton Burke, was a character actor in radio, cinema, and television in a career spanning more than 65 years. He had a severe stutter when he was young, but overcame it and became a maaster of dialects, serving as a dialect coach to other actors. Mr. Easton died 23 days after his 81st birthday.

Nicol Williamson, 75. U.K. actor. Mr. Williamson, a native of Scotland, appeared on stage, screen, and television in a career spanning more than 35 years. He was regarded by many critics as the "Hamlet of his generation" in the 1960s. Mr. Williamson played Sherlock Holmes in the movie The Seven-Per-Cent Solution (1976), but his best-known film role was as Merlin in Excalibur (1981). He died after a two-year battle with esophageal cancer.

Abominations
The Senate of Canada passed legislation to redistribute federal ridings from 308 to 338 to reflect population growth. Ontario received 15 more House of Commons seats; Alberta and B.C. 6; and Quebec 3. New ridings were in place for the 2015 federal election.

December 9, 2021

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Natalia, Mary-Ann Murphy, and Maria Mercedes Forero Hernandez!

300 years ago
1721

Born on this date
Peter Pelham. U.K.-born American musician. Mr. Pelham, a native of London, moved to Boston with his family at the age of 9. He was organist at Trinity Church in Boston from 1744 until about 1750, when he moved to Williamsburg, Virginia. Mr. Pelham was organist for Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg from 1755 until blindness forced his retirement in 1802. He was also a harpsichord teacher, supervisor for the printing of currency (1758-1775), and superintendent of the Public Gaol (1770-1780). Mr. Pelham's compositions have disappeared except for a short harpsichord minuet. He died on April 28, 1805 at the age of 83.

160 years ago
1861

Born on this date
Hélène Smith. Swiss medium. Miss Smith, born Catherine-Elise Müller, became a spiritualist in the early 1890s; Surrealists referred to her as the "Muse of automatic writing." Miss Smith claimed to communicate with Martians, and to be a reincarnation of a Hindu princess and Marie Antoinette; psychologist Théodore Flournoy publicized her claims in his book Des Indes à la Planete Mars (From India to the Planet Mars) (1900). Dr. Flournoy regarded Miss Smith's automatic writing as the result of "cryptomnesia" (unrecognized forgotten memories), and her "cycles" as the products of infantile imaginings, with the Martian language merely a constructed language. Miss Smith died on June 10, 1929 at the age of 67. In 1952, psychologist Donovan Rawcliffe examined her case in depth, and noted that she had suffered from a fantasy prone personality and hysterical hallucinations.

War
The Joint Committee on the Conduct of the [Civil] War was established by the U.S. Congress.

150 years ago
1871

Born on this date
Joe Kelley. U.S. baseball player. Mr. Kelley was a left fielder with five major league teams from 1891-1908, but was best known for his years with the Baltimore Orioles of the National League (1892-1898), whom he served as captain. He played on 6 teams that won the NL pennant, and finished his career with a .317 batting average with 65 home runs and 1,194 runs batted in in 1,853 games. Mr. Kelley managed the Cincinnati Reds from 1902-1905, compiling a record of 338-321. He died on August 14, 1943 at the age of 71, and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veterans' Committee in 1971.

130 years ago
1891

Politics and government
U.S. President Benjamin Harrison delivered his third annual State of the Union message to Congress. Subjects included foreign relations and relations with American Indians.

125 years ago
1896

Politics and government
Abner Reid McClelan took office as Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick, succeeding John James Fraser.

120 years ago
1901

Born on this date
Jean Mermoz. French aviator. Mr. Mermoz flew with the Franch Air Force in Syria (1922-1924) before becoming an air mail pilot. He flew from Senegal to Brazil in 1930, and was the chief pilot for Aeroposta Argentina, Argentina's first air mail service. On December 7, 1936, two days before his 35th birthday, Mr. Mermoz disappeared four hours after taking off from Dakar, Senegal to Natal, Brazil after engine repairs; it was assumed that the engine they had tried to repair lost its propeller midflight, and being one of the aft engines, the loose propeller either badly damaged or cut the hull entirely, causing the plane to lose its tail and crash instantly. An investigative committee of the Uruguayan Parliament concluded in 1941 that the deaths of Mr. Mermoz and his four-man crew were the result of sabotage by Nazi fifth columnists operating in Uruguay, although Mr. Mermoz had been complaining for months about the poor quality of the planes he was forced to fly.

Ödön von Horváth. Austro-Hungarian-born playwright and author. Mr. Horváth wrote almost 20 plays and four novels; he often wrote about politics and history, and warned of the dangers of fascism Mr. Horváth lived in Germany in the 1920s, but moved to Vienna after the Nazis came to power in 1933, and moved to Paris after the German Anschluss of Austria in 1938. He died on June 1, 1938 at the age of 36 when he was hit by a falling tree branch during a thunderstorm on the Champs-Élysées in Paris.

110 years ago
1911

Born on this date
Broderick Crawford. U.S. actor. The beefy, fast-talking Mr. Crawford was usually a supporting actor in movies, but won the Academy Award for Best Actor for All the King's Men (1949). He moved to television in the 1950s, starring in the series Highway Patrol (1955-1959), King of Diamonds (1961-1962), and The Interns (1970-1971). He died on April 26, 1986 at the age of 74, after a series of strokes.

Disasters
The Cross Mountain Mine disaster, a coal mine explosion near Briceville, Tennessee, killed 84 miners despite rescue efforts led by the United States Bureau of Mines.

100 years ago
1921

Radio
Ted Rogers Sr., who would later invent the first alternating-current vacuum radio tube and give birth to Toronto’s CFRB Radio, became the first amateur radio operator in Canada to successfully transmit a signal across the Atlantic. He was taking part in a competition sponsored by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL).

90 years ago
1931

On the radio
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Richard Gordon and Leigh Lovell, on NBC
Tonight's episode: A Study in Scarlet, Part 4

Politics and government
The Constituent Cortes approved a constitution which established the Second Spanish Republic.

80 years ago
1941

Died on this date
Hart O. Berg, 76. U.S. engineer. Mr. Berg worked with Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company in the 1890s, helping to develop the revolver and the machine gun. He represented American automobile interests in Europe from the late 1890s until the late 1900s, but was best known for representing the Wright Brothers in Europe from the late 1900s until parting ways with them around 1912. Mr. Berg was credited with selling the airplane to Europe. He travelled back and forth between the United States and Europe for many years thereafter, representing various business interests. Mr. Berg died after a long illness.

War
China, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa declared war on Japan, while China also declared war on Germany and Italy. The Cuban Senate and House of Representatives voted for a declaration of war against Japan, while Guatemala, and the Philippine Commonwealth declared war on Germany and, Japan. In the Battle of Hong Kong, Japanese ground forces attacked across the frontier of the New Territories and captured the key position of Shing Mun Redoubt; D Company of the Winnipeg Grenadiers was dispatched to the mainland to strengthen this sector. Japanese troops supported by warships and planes landed on the northern and western coast of Luzon, main island of the Philippines. The American 19th Bombardment Group attacked Japanese ships off the coast of Vigan, Luzon. Japan landed reinforcements in the Kota Bharu area of northeastern Malaya and in the Singora-Patani area of Thailand. Russian forces recaptured Tikhvin, near Leningrad. As fear of Japanese invasion spread on the west coast of Canada, the federal government ordered blackouts, and closed Japanese-Canadian newspapers and schools in British Columbia. U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt invoked "enemy alien" regulations and ordered federal agents to round up dangerous German, Italian, and Japanese nationals. New York, Boston, and other East Coast American cities held their first air raid alarms.

Defense
Argentina and Chile announced that they would grant non-belligerent status to the United States as an act of solidarity.

World events
The Vichy French regime disclosed that 1,850 Communists had been arrested in unoccupied France during the past three days, bringing the total arrested in the past six weeks to 12,850.

Politics and government
John Hart was sworn in as Premier of British Columbia, replacing Duff Patullo, who had been in power since November 15, 1933. Mr. Hart headed the province's first coalition government, composed of Liberals and Conservatives, in an effort to prevent the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation from coming to power.

Robert F. Rockwell (Republican) defeated Frank Delaney (Democrat) in a special U.S. congressional election in Denver to fill the seat of the late Rep. Edward Taylor (Democrat).

Baseball
Cleveland Indians' ace pitcher Bob Feller, 25, became the first major league player to volunteer for active military service since the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor two days earlier. Mr. Feller had posted a 25-13 record with an earned run average of 3.15 in 1941, leading the American League in wins; games (44); starts (40); innings pitched (343); hits allowed (284); bases on balls (194); strikeouts (260); and shutouts (6).

75 years ago
1946

Hit parade
U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Rumors are Flying--Frankie Carle and his Orchestra (7th week at #1)
--The Andrews Sisters with Les Paul
--Betty Rhodes
--Tony Martin
2 Ole Buttermilk Sky--Kay Kyser and his Orchestra
--Helen Carroll and the Satisfiers
--Paul Weston and his Orchestra with Matt Dennis
--Hoagy Carmichael
3 Five Minutes More--Frank Sinatra
--Tex Beneke and the Glenn Miller Orchestra
--The Three Suns
4 (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons--King Cole Trio
--Eddy Howard and his Orchestra
5 The Old Lamp-Lighter--Sammy Kaye and his "Swing and Sway" Orchestra
--Kay Kyser and his Orchestra
--Hal Derwin
6 This is Always--Harry James and his Orchestra
--Jo Stafford
7 To Each His Own--Eddy Howard and his Orchestra with Eddy Howard and Trio
--The Ink Spots
--Freddy Martin and his Orchestra with Stuart Wade
--Tony Martin
--The Modernaires with Paula Kelly
8 South America, Take it Away--Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters
--Xavier Cugat and the Waldorf-Astoria Orchestra
9 The Things We Did Last Summer--Frank Sinatra
--Vaughn Monroe and his Orchestra
10 The Coffee Song (They’ve Got an Awful Lot of Coffee in Brazil)--Frank Sinatra

Singles entering the chart were Huggin' and Chalkin', with versions by Hoagy Carmichael, Johnny Mercer, and Kay Kyser and his Orchestra (#19); The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You) by the King Cole Trio (#20); and Ain't That Just Like a Woman (They’ll Do it Every Time) by Louis Jordan and the Tympany Five (#36).

On the radio
The Casebook of Gregory Hood, starring Elliott Lewis and Howard McNear, on MBS
Tonight`s episode: The Jade Tree

War
The "Subsequent Nuremberg trials" began with the "Doctors' trial," prosecuting physicians and officers alleged to be involved in Nazi human experimentation and mass murder under the guise of euthanasia.

Diplomacy
The United Kingdom sent Albania a note protesting the laying of mines in the Corfu channel as a "deliberately hostile act."

The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in New York elected U.S. State Department Alger Hiss as its president.

The World Zionist Congress convened in Basel, Switzerland and heard its president, Chaim Weizmann, reiterate his demand for a Jewish state in Palestine.

Politics and government
King Farouk of Egypt named Mahmoud Fahmy Pasha of the Saasist Party as Prime Minister after Ismail Sidky Pasha resigned because of ill health.

Despite the Muslim League boycott, the Constituent Assembly of India met in New Delhi for the first time to write the Constitution of India.

Law
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the 1928 murder conviction of Leroy Carter of Illinois, despite evidence that Mr. Carter had had no lawyer at his trial.

Football
AAFC
New York (10-3-1) 31 @ Miami (2-11) 0

70 years ago
1951

On television tonight
Out There, on CBS
Tonight's episode: Mewhu's Jet, starring Dennis Alexander, Janie Alexander, John Boruff, and Eileen Heckart

Crime
U.S. singer and actor Frank Sinatra and his wife, actress Ava Gardner, were robbed of $16,800 in jewellery in London.

Canadian-born U.S. bandleader Guy Lombardo killed a pedestrian with his car in New York, but police filed no charges, saying that Mr. Lombardo had the light in his favour.

Economics and finance
The U.S. government invoked the Trading with the Enemy Act to prevent Chinese-Americans from sending money to Communist China.

Labour
The U.S. Congress of Industrial Organizations announced a contribution of $100,000 intended to encourage the growth of strong unions in backward nations.

The U.S. Civil Service Commission reported that the salaries of the government's 1,004,624 full-time employees averaged $3,954 per year.

Football
NFL
Chicago Bears (7-4) 45 @ New York Yanks (1-8-2) 21
Cleveland (10-1) 28 @ Pittsburgh (3-7-1) 0
Detroit (7-3-1) 24 @ Los Angeles (7-4) 22
Green Bay (3-8) 19 @ San Francisco (6-4-1) 31
New York Giants (8-2-1) 23 @ Philadelphia (4-7) 7
Washington (5-6) 20 @ Chicago Cardinals (2-9) 17



60 years ago
1961

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): My Boomerang Won't Come Back--Charlie Drake

#1 single in Italy: Nata per me--Adriano Celentano (4th week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Weiße Rosen aus Athen--Nana Mouskouri (8th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (Dutch Top 40): Och was ik maar bij moeder thuis gebleven--Johnny Hoes (12th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (Record Mirror): Tower of Strength--Frankie Vaughan

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 The Lion Sleeps Tonight--The Tokens
2 Goodbye Cruel World--James Darren
3 Big Bad John--Jimmy Dean
4 Please Mr. Postman--The Marvelettes
5 Moon River--Jerry Butler
--Henry Mancini, his Orchestra and Chorus
6 Walk on By--Leroy Van Dyke
7 Run to Him--Bobby Vee
8 Tonight--Ferrante and Teicher
--Eddie Fisher
--Jay and the Americans
9 Runaround Sue--Dion
10 The Twist--Chubby Checker

Singles entering the chart were Can't Help Falling in Love (#50)/Rock-a-Hula Baby (#54) by Elvis Presley; Jambalaya (On the Bayou) by Fats Domino (#86); Small Sad Sam by Phil McLean (#90); Turn on Your Love Light by Bobby Bland (#91); Tuff by Ace Cannon (#92); and You're Running Out of Kisses by Chuck Foote (#94).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CFUN)
1 Walkin' with My Angel--Bobby Vee (3rd week at #1)
2 Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen--Neil Sedaka
3 The Lion Sleeps Tonight--The Tokens
4 The Wanderer--Dion
5 Static--Dana and Dexter
6 Run to Him--Bobby Vee
7 Hey! Little Girl--Del Shannon
8 The Twist--Chubby Checker
9 Can't Help Falling in Love--Elvis Presley
10 Please Mr. Postman--The Marvelettes

Singles entering the chart were Jingle Bell Rock by Bobby Rydell/Chubby Checker (#20); Fujikami the Warrior (#27)/Mo-Shun (#50) by the Hi-Fives; Just a Little Bit Sweet by Charlie Rich (#35); Tennessee Flat-Top Box by Johnny Cash (#39); What a Walk by Bobby Lewis (#42); If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody by James Ray (#45); Let Me Down Easy by Tompall and the Glaser Brothers (#47); and A Little Bitty Tear by Burl Ives (#48).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CKWX)
1 The Lion Sleeps Tonight--The Tokens (2nd week at #1)
2 Walkin' with My Angel/Run to Him--Bobby Vee
3 The Twist--Chubby Checker
4 Hey! Little Girl--Del Shannon
5 Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen--Neil Sedaka
6 Gypsy Rover--The Highwaymen
7 The Wanderer/The Majestic--Dion
8 Blue Hawaii (LP)--Elvis Presley
9 Dreamy Eyes--Johnny Tillotson
10 Please Mr. Postman--The Marvelettes

Singles entering the chart were Weekend by Eddie Cochran (#29); When the Boy in Your Arms (Is the Boy in Your Heart)/Baby's First Christmas by Connie Francis (#30); Jingle Bell Rock by Bobby Rydell/Chubby Checker (#34); and A Little Bitty Tear by Burl Ives (#40).

On television tonight
The Roaring 20's, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Asparagus Tips

Africana
Tanganyika Territory gained its independence from Britain; it became part of Tanzania three years later.

Boxing
Gene Fullmer (55-4-2) retained his National Boxing Association world middleweight title by knocking out world welterweight champion Benny "Kid" Paret (35-11-3) at 2:30 of the 10th round at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Mr. Paret was knocked down 3 times in the 10th round of the bout, which was scheduled for a maximum of 15 rounds.



Football
NFL
Baltimore (7-6) 17 @ Los Angeles (4-9) 34

AFL
Boston (8-4-1) 35 @ Oakland (2-11) 21

50 years ago
1971

Hit parade
#1 single in France (IFOP): Le rire du sergent--Michel Sardou (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): I Don't Know How to Love Him--Tina and the Real McCoy

Died on this date
Ralph Bunche, 68. U.S. political scientist and diplomat. Dr. Bunche was the first Negro to earn a Ph.D. in political science from an American University, taught at Howard University (1928-1950), and was president of the American Political Science Association (1953-1954). He worked with the U.S. Office of Strategic Services (1941-1943) and then with the State Department and Institute of Pacific Relations, helping to prepare the founding of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Dr. Bunche worked to end colonialism, and supported the civil rights movement for Negroes in the United States. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1950 "for his works in resolving the Arab-Israeli conflict in Palestine" while serving as chief mediator for the United Nations. Dr. Bunche was appointed Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations in 1968, but resigned for reasons of ill health shortly before his death from complications of heart disease, kidney disease, and diabetes.

War
In Operation Cactus Lilly, the Indian Air Force executed an airdrop of Indian Army units, bypassing Pakistani defenses.

40 years ago
1981

Hit parade
Vancouver's Top 10 (CKLG)
1 Young Turks--Rod Stewart (2nd week at #1)
2 Physical--Olivia Newton-John
3 Waiting for a Girl Like You--Foreigner
4 Leather and Lace--Stevie Nicks with Don Henley
5 Start Me Up--Rolling Stones
6 Trouble--Lindsey Buckingham
7 Private Eyes--Daryl Hall & John Oates
8 Every Little Thing She Does is Magic--The Police
9 My Girl (Gone, Gone, Gone)--Chilliwack
10 Harden My Heart--Quarterflash

Singles entering the chart were Talking Out of Turn by the Moody Blues (#17); I Can't Go for That (No Can Do) by Daryl Hall & John Oates (#18); and Yesterday's Songs by Neil Diamond (#19).

Died on this date
John Kieran, 89. U.S. journalist and broadcaster. Mr. Kieran was a sportswriter with The New York Times, serving as the paper's lead sports columnist from 1927-1943. He was best known as a panelist on the radio (1938-1948) and television (1952) quiz program Information, Please! Mr. Kieran hosted television's first widely-syndicated program, Kieran's Kaleidoscope (1949-1952), commenting on various topics. He was an amateur naturalist and birdwatcher, and wrote the book A Natural History of New York City (1959). Mr. Kieran was inducted into the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame in 1971, and in 1973 was honoured by the Baseball Writers' Association of America with the J.G. Taylor Spink Award for distinguished baseball writing.

Sonny Til, 53. Mr. Til, born Earlington Carl Tilghman, was the lead singer of the Orioles, generally regarded as the first rhythm and blues vocal group, from their beginning in 1948 until his death from a heart attack. The group's hits included It's Too Soon to Know (1948); Tell Me So (1949); and Crying in the Chapel (1953). Mr. Til and the other original members of the Orioles were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 as an influence.

Daniel Faulkner, 25. U.S. police officer. Constable Faulkner was a soldier and corrections officer before joining the Philadelphia Police Department; he aspired to become a city prosecutor, and was working toward a degree in criminal justice administration when he got into an altercation with William Cook, whom he stopped in traffic. Mr. Cook's older brother, Mumia Abu-Jamal, whose taxi was parked across the street, ran toward the altercation, shooting Constable Faulkner in the back and then in the face. Constable Faulkner managed to shoot and wound Mr. Abu-Jamal in the stomach before he was killed. Mr. Abu-Jamal was convicted in 1982 and sentenced to death; years of appeals failed to change the verdict, but resulted in the sentence eventually being commuted to life in prison without possibility of parole. The case attracted much attention, with Negro rap thugs supporting the killer.

30 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Piece of My Wish--Miki Imai

#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Laatikoita--Sielun Veljet

#1 single in Germany (Media Control): Let's Talk About Sex--Salt-N-Pepa (4th week at #1)

25 years ago
1996

Hit parade
#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Macarena Christmas--Los del Rio

#1 single in Norway (VG-lista): I Can't Help Myself (I Love You, I Want You)--The Kelly Family (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Germany (Media Control): Verpiss' dich--Tic Tac Toe

Canada's Top 10 (RPM)
1 Head Over Feet--Alanis Morissette (4th week at #1)
2 Black Cloud Rain--Corey Hart
3 Mouth--Merril Bainbridge
4 When You Love a Woman--Journey
5 How Bizarre--OMC
6 He Liked to Feel It--Crash Test Dummies
7 Dance Into the Light--Phil Collins
8 Leave it Alone--Moist
9 If it Makes You Happy--Sheryl Crow
10 Bittersweet Me--R.E.M.

Singles entering the chart were Through Your Hands by Don Henley (#81); Kissing Rain by Roch Voisine (#84); Love is the Power by Michael Bolton (#85); Watching the World Go By by Maxi Priest (#91); Crossing a Canyon by 54-40 (#92); Look Like Me by the Killjoys (#93); and Bad Time to Be Poor by Rheostatics (#95).

Died on this date
Alain Poher, 87. President of France, 1969, 1974. Mr. Poher was a centrist politician who was affiliated with several parties. He represented Val-de-Marne in the Senate from 1946-1995, and was President of the Senate from 1968-1992, serving briefly as interim President of France from April-June 1969 and April-May 1974.

Mary Leakey, 83. U.K. paleontologist. Mrs. Leakey and her husband Louis spent decades in Africa searchng for specimens of man's supposed ancestors. Mrs. Leakey discovered the first skull of Procunsul, and the skull of Zinjanthropus at Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania. The Leakeys' son Richard has continued their work.

Patty Donahue, 40. U.S. singer. Miss Donahue was the lead singer with the Waitresses, a New Wave group that achieved success in the early 1980s. She was a heavy smoker, and died of lung cancer.

Crime
Horrett Campbell, 33, was found guilty of attempted murder for attacking three children and four women with a machete at a teddy bears' picnic at St. Luke's infants school in Blakenhall, Wolverhampton, England on July 8, 1996.

20 years ago
2001

Died on this date
Michael Carver, Baron Carver, 86. Field Marshal Baron Carver joined the British Army in 1935 and served in World War II in Italy and North Africa. He rose through the ranks during the war and afterward; he was Deputy Chief of Staff at East Africa Command (1954), taking part in the closing stages of the response to the Mau-Mau rebellion, and then being promoted to Chief of Staff in East Africa (1955). Lord Carver had several more commands, and was promoted to Chief of the General Staff (1971) and Chief of Defence Staff (1973), serving until his retirement in 1976. He was appointed resident commissioner designate for Rhodesia in August 1977 with responsibility for ending the dispute over independence there, but resigned in October 1978 after 14 months of deadlock.

10 years ago
2011

Business
The Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan sold its 80% cent stake in Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, owners of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, Toronto FC, and the Air Canada Centre for $1.3 billion. Telecommunications rivals Rogers and Bell Canada paid $1.07 billion for a 75% share, while Larry Tanenbaum's Kilmer Sports raised its share to 25%.

December 8, 2021

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Luli Gamez!

500 years ago
1521

Died on this date
Christina of Saxony, 59. Queen consort of Denmark (1481-1513); Norway (1483-1513); and Sweden (1497-1501). Christina married the future King Hans in 1478, and became Queen consort when he acceded to the Danish throne upon the death of his father. Hans was subsequently elected King of Norway and conquered Sweden. Queen Christina accompanied her husband to Sweden, but he began an adulterous affair in 1501, and was removed as king, while Queen Christina was taken into custody, and wasn't permitted to return to Denmark until 1503, where she lived separately from King Hans until her death, 17 days before her 60th birthday.

330 years ago
1691

Died on this date
Richard Baxter, 76. English clergyman. Mr. Baxter was a Nonconformist and Puritan who wrote over 140 books. He was persecuted by the Church of England and served time in prison for operating a conventicle (a gathering of lay people not authorized by the state church).

220 years ago
1801

Politics and government
U.S. President Thomas Jefferson delivered his first annual State of the Union message to Congress. Subjects included war with the Barbary States.

pol 175 years ago
1846

Politics and government
U.S. President James K. Polk delivered his second annual State of the Union message to Congress. The main subjects were Texas and the war against Mexico.

130 years ago
1891

Economics and finance
Canada imposed a duty on fish imported from Newfoundland, to retaliate for a Newfoundland law restricting bait for Canadian fishermen.

110 years ago
1911

Born on this date
Lee J. Cobb. U.S. actor. Mr. Cobb, born Leo Jacoby, was known for his starring role in the original Broadway production of Death of a Salesman (1949) and his supporting roles in movies such as On the Waterfront (1954); 12 Angry Men (1957); Our Man Flint (1966); and In Like Flint (1967). He died of a heart attack on February 11, 1976 at the age of 64.

90 years ago
1931

Politics and government
U.S. President Herbert Hoover delivered his third annual State of the Union message to Congress. Subjects included defense, foreign relations, and the Depression.

80 years ago
1941

War
The day after the Japanese attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the United States Congress followed President Franklin D. Roosevelt's advice, and voted to declare war on Japan. The only dissenting vote was cast by Rep. Jeannette Rankin (Republican--Montana), who had also voted against U.S. entry into World War I. The Royal Rifles of Canada and Winnipeg Grenadiers, under command of Brigadier J. K. Lawson, were caught by the Japanese invasion of Hong Kong. They had not received training as front-line troops, and as the first Canadian units to fight in World War II had almost no air or naval defences. At 8 A.M., Japanese aircraft destroyed all six Royal Air Force planes at Kai Tak airport; two men of the Royal Canadian Signals were wounded--the first Canadian casualties--in the camp at Sham Shui Po, as the Japanese 38th Division moved across the frontier of the New Territories. Governor General the Earl of Athlone announced that Canada was officially at war with Japan. Several dozen Japanese-Canadians suspected of subversion were arrested; the government of Canada began to impound all fishing boats owned by Japanese-Canadians and shut down Japanese language schools and newspapers. The governments of the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Netherlands, Greece, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Panama, and the Free French Committee declared war on Japan. Japanese forces simultaneously invaded Shanghai International Settlement, Malaya, Thailand, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and the Netherlands East Indies. San Francisco underwent a 2½-hour blackout upon a report that two formations of enemy planes had flown to within 20 miles of the city. A German spokesman in Berlin said that winter weather had halted the German offensive against Moscow and that its capture was not expected before the end of 1941.



Crime
U.S. Federal Judge M.M. Joyce in Minneapolis sentenced 12 of the 18 Socialist Workers Party members convicted in the recent sedition trial to 16-month prison terms, and the other six to terms of a year and a day.

Horse racing
Whirlaway, the Triple Crown winner, was named horse of the year in a poll conducted by Turf & Sports Digest.

75 years ago
1946

Economics and finance
U.S. acting Secretary of State Dean Acheson said that the United States would not give free relief to nations which had not proved their need or which maintained large armies after the end of the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration.

Labour
The New Jersey Congress of Industrial Organizations approved a strong resolution opposing Communist "interference in the affairs of the CIO."

Golf
Sam Snead won the Miami Open.

Football
NFL
Chicago Bears (8-2-1) 45 @ Detroit (1-10) 24
Green Bay (6-5) 17 @ Los Angeles (6-4-1) 38
Washington (5-5-1) 0 @ New York (7-3-1) 31
Philadelphia (6-5) 40 @ Boston (2-8-1) 14

AAFC
Cleveland (12-2) 66 @ Brooklyn (3-9-1) 14
Los Angeles (7-5-1) 7 @ San Francisco (9-5) 48

70 years ago
1951

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): My Truly, Truly Fair--Guy Mitchell; Donald Peers (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Cold, Cold Heart--Tony Bennett (Best Seller--6th week at #1; Jukebox--1st week at #1); It's No Sin--Eddy Howard and his Orchestra (Disc Jockey--4th week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 (It's No) Sin--The Four Aces (6th week at #1)
--Eddy Howard
2 Because of You--Tony Bennett
--Les Baxter and his Orchestra
3 Down Yonder--Del Wood
--Joe "Fingers" Carr
--Champ Butler
4 Cold, Cold Heart--Tony Bennett
5 I Get Ideas--Tony Martin
--Louis Armstrong
6 And So to Sleep Again--Patti Page
7 Undecided--The Ames Brothers and Les Brown and his Band of Renown
8 Charmaine--Mantovani and his Orchestra
9 Domino--Tony Martin
10 Jealousy (Jalousie)--Frankie Laine

Singles entering the chart were Cry (#23)/The Little White Cloud that Cried (#27) by Johnnie Ray and the Four Lads; and Never by Dennis Day (#39).

Diplomacy
Yugoslavia agreed to establish diplomatic relations with West Germany.

Czechoslovakia sent the U.S.A. a note of protest against alleged American aid to anti-Communist undergrounds in eastern Europe.

Egypt recalled its ambassador to the United Kingdom to protest British actions in the Suez.

U.S. Senator William Knowland (Republican--California) reported that 32 Americans were in jail in Communist China.

Defense
United Press reported that membership in U.S. veterans' organizations had dropped to a post-World War II low.

Business
Guatemala accused the United Fruit Company of systematically understating the value of bananas shipped from the country to reduce export tax payments.

60 years ago
1961

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Tower of Strength--Frankie Vaughan (2nd week at #1)

Basketball
NBA
Los Angeles (20-7) 147 @ Philadelphia (13-11) 151 (3 OT)

Wilt Chamberlain scored 78 points to lead the Warriors over the Lakers, while Elgin Baylor, who had set the single-game scoring record the previous year with 71 points, scored 63 for the Lakers.

50 years ago
1971

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Ernie (The Fastest Milkman in the West)--Benny Hill (2nd week at #1)

On television tonight
Rod Serling's Night Gallery, on NBC
Tonight's episode: Cool Air, starring Barbara Rush and Henry Darrow; Camera Obscura, starring Rene Auberjonois and Ross Martin; Quoth the Raven, starring Marty Allen

40 years ago
1981

Died on this date
Walter Horton, 60. U.S. musician. "Big Walter" was known as one of the best blues harmonicists in history. He had a performing and recording career spanning more than 40 years, mainly as a sideman for various artists. Mr. Horton drank heavily, and died of heart failure.

Politics and government
The Senate of Canada voted 59-23 in favour of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau's package to patriate the Constitution, and signed a joint resolution with the House of Commons. The package, to end Canada's last colonial and legal tie with Britain, was now sent to the British Parliament for final approval.

30 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Black or White--Michael Jackson (3rd week at #1)

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

Austria's Top 10 (Ö3)
1 Let's Talk About Sex!--Salt-N-Pepa (4th week at #1)
2 (Everything I Do) I Do it for You--Bryan Adams
3 Do the Limbo Dance--David Hasselhoff
4 Any Dream Will Do--Jason Donovan
5 Black or White--Michael Jackson
6 Jambo--Erste Allgemeine Verunsicherung
7 The Fly--U2
8 Always Look on the Bright Side of Life--Monty Python
9 Something Got Me Started--Simply Red
10 Bacardi Feeling (Summer Dreamin')--Kate Yanai

Singles entering the chart were No Son of Mine by Genesis (#25); and Change by Lisa Stansfield (#29).

Died on this date
Buck Clayton, 80. U.S. musician. Wilbur Dorsey Clayton was a jazz trumpeter and arranger who worked with various bands, but was best known for playing with Count Basie.

Kimberly Bergalis, 23. U.S. medical patient. Miss Bergalis died of AIDS, which she contracted from her dentist, Dr. David Acer, a bisexual. It was the first known case of clinical transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Politics and government
The heads of state of Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine met at Minsk, Belarus to sign a treaty creating the Commonwealth of Independent States. The Romanian Constitution was adopted in a referendum.

25 years ago
1996

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): No Woman, No Cry--The Fugees

#1 single in Austria (Ö3): Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)--Backstreet Boys (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)--Backstreet Boys (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Scotland (OCC): A Different Beat--Boyzone

Died on this date
Howard Rollins, 46. U.S. actor. Mr. Rollins was best known for his performances in the movies Ragtime (1981) and A Soldier's Story (1984), and for playing Virgil Tibbs in the television series In the Heat of the Night (1988-1994). He was fired from the series because of his heavy drinking and cocaine abuse, but sobered up, and returned to acting before he died of AIDS-related lymphoma.

10 years ago
2011

Died on this date
Dan "Bee" Spears, 62. U.S. musician. Mr. Spears was a country musician who played bass guitar in Willie Nelson's travelling band for 40 years. Mr. Spears slipped and fell outside his Nashville home, and was found dead of exposure.

Dick Sims, 60. U.K. musician. Mr. Sims played keyboards in Eric Clapton's rock band in the 1970s. Mr. Sims died of cancer.

December 5, 2021

525 years ago
1496

Abominations
King Manuel I of Portugal issued a decree ordering the expulsion of Jewish "heretics" from the country.

230 years ago
1791

Died on this date
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, 35. Austrian composer. A child prodigy who became one of the most renowned composers in history, Mr. Mozart wrote more than 800 works in various genres. He died in Vienna after a brief illness.

140 years ago
1881

Born on this date
René Cresté. French actor. Mr. Cresté began his career on stage before moving into films, appearing in more than 50 movies. He was best known for starring as the title character in the 24-episode adventure serial Judex (1917-1918). Mr. Cresté died of tuberculosis on November 30, 1922, five days before his 41st birthday.

130 years ago
1891

Died on this date
Pedro II, 66. Emperor of Brazil, 1831-1889. Dom Pedro II, the seventh child of Emperor Pedro I, succeeded to the throne at the age of 5 upon his father's abdication. Dom Pedro II modernized the country, but was overthrown by a coup on November 15, 1889, and spent his last two years in exile with his family in Paris, dying three days after his 66th birthday.

125 years ago
1896

Born on this date
Carl Cori. Czech biochemist. Dr. Cori shared the 1947 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with his wife Gerty "for their discovery of the course of the catalytic conversion of glycogen." Bernardo Houssay was also honoured that year "for his discovery of the part played by the hormone of the anterior pituitary lobe in the metabolism of sugar." Dr. Cori died on October 20, 1984 at the age of 87.

Ann Nolan Clark. U.S. teacher and authoress. Mrs. Clark taught literacy to Native American children in New Mexico for 25 years, beginning in the early 1920s. She wrote books of fiction and non-fiction; her children's novel Secret of the Andes won the 1953 Newbery Medal. Mrs. Clark died on December 13, 1995, eight days after her 99th birthday.

120 years ago
1901

Born on this date
Walt Disney. U.S. entertainment magnate. Mr. Disney was a pioneer in the field of animation, creating such memorable characters as Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. He eventually produced live-action films, hosted his own television program, and created the Disneyland amusement park, which opened in Anaheim, California in 1955. Mr. Disney was nominated for 59 Academy Awards, and won 22--the greatest number of any single person. He was a heavy smoker who died of lung cancer on December 15, 1966, 10 days after his 65th birthday. Mr. Disney was the first famous person whose death this blogger can remember as a current event.

Werner Heisenberg. German physicist. Dr. Heisenberg was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for 1932 "for the creation of quantum mechanics." He remained in Germany during the Nazi regime and worked on their nuclear fission project. Dr. Heisenberg was captured by Allied forces at the end of World War II and was detained in England for several months, but was returned to Germany early in 1946, and spent the rest of his life in West Germany. He died on February 1, 1976 at the age of 74.

Milton H. Erickson. U.S. psychiatrist and psychologist. Dr. Erickson specialized in medical hypnosis and family therapy, and was noted for his approach to the unconscious mind as creative and solution-generating, in contrast to the ideas of Sigmund Freud. He was the founding president of the American Society for Clinical Hypnosis and a fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, and the American Psychopathological Association. Dr. Erickson promoted the use of hypnosis as a method of conacting the unconscious mind and its resources. He was influential in the fields of brief therapy, strategic family therapy, family systems therapy, solution focused brief therapy, and neuro-linguistic programming. Dr. Erickson died on March 25, 1980 at the age of 78.

110 years ago
1911

Born on this date
Władysław Szpilman. Polish musician and composer. Mr. Szpilman was a concert pianist who wrote works for piano, songs, orchestral works, and film scores. As a Jew, he was interned in the Warsaw Ghetto and later at the Treblinka death camp during World War II, but was able to survive, and resumed his career after the war. Mr. Szpilman died on July 6, 2000 at the age of 88; he was the subject of the movie The Pianist (2002).

Politics and government
U.S. President William Howard Taft delivered the first part of his four-part annual State of the Union message to Congress. Part I dealt with the Anti-Trust Statute.

100 years ago
1921

Born on this date
Alvy Moore. U.S. actor. Mr. Moore was a character actor on stage, screen, and television in a career spanning more than 40 years. He was best known for playing county agricultural agent Hank Kimball on the television comedy series Green Acres (1965-1971). Mr. Moore died of heart failure on May 4, 1997 at the age of 75.

Soccer
The Football Association banned women's football in England from league grounds, a ban that stayed in place for 50 years.

90 years ago
1931

Died on this date
Vachel Lindsay, 52. U.S. poet. Mr. Lindsay achieved popularity in the 1910s, and was known for "singing poetry," in which verses were meant to be sung or chanted. Mr. Lindsay performed his poems in a theatrical manner in his personal appearances, which contributed to his popularity. He began to experience financial problems in the late 1920s, and these led to his suicide by drinking a bottle of the disinfectant Lysol, 25 days after his 52nd birthday.

Abominations
The Russian Orthodox Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow was destroyed on orders from Soviet dictator Josef Stalin, who intended to use the site for a Palace of the Soviets to house the country's legislature, the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. The latter building was never completed.

Football
CRU
Grey Cup @ Molson Stadium, Montreal
Montreal 22 Regina 0

The Winged Wheelers concluded a perfect season with their only Grey Cup win, becoming the first team from outside Ontario to win the cup, as they shut out the Roughriders before 5,112 fans in the only Grey Cup ever played at Molson Stadium. Huck Welch opened the scoring in the first quarter with a punt single, and Pete Jotkus scored the game's first touchdown when Regina's Eddie James fumbled a punt, and Mr. Jotkus dribbled the ball from the Roughrider 35-yard line to the goal line before picking it up. Mr. Welch's convert gave the Winged Wheelers a 7-0 lead, which they maintained until halftime. Mr. Welch punted for another single to make the score 8-0, and then Montreal quarterback Warren Stevens, playing his final game after just one season in Canadian football, completed a long pass to Kenny Grant for the first touchdown pass in Grey Cup history. The convert was unsuccessful, and the Winged Wheelers led 13-0 after 3 quarters. Mr. Welch kicked a field goal early in the 4th quarter to make the score 16-0, and Mr. Stevens scored the game's final touchdown on a 1-yard quarterback sneak. He lined up as if to pass for the convert, but found running room and ran the ball in himself for the convert, making the final score 22-0. The field was frozen and covered with snow, and the Winged Wheelers wore basketball shoes that gave them a distinct advantage in footing over the Roughriders, who wore regular cleats. It was the fourth straight year in which the Roughriders had lost the Grey Cup, and their fifth Grey Cup defeat in as many appearances. Warren Stevens, who lad led the Winged Wheelers to a 6-0 regular season record in the IRFU, retired to become the head coach of the University of Toronto Varsity Blues.



80 years ago
1941

War
In the Battle of Moscow, Marshal Georgy Zhukov launched a massive Soviet counter-attack of 100 divisions against the German army. Germany agreed to a secret treaty with Japan for a war against the United States, and barring any separate peace. The Japanese government informed U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt that Japanese troops had been reinforced in northern French Indochina "with the object of taking precautionary measures" against Chinese troops along the border.

Defense
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the $8,243,839,031 third supplemental national defense appropriation bill and sent it to the Senate.

Law
The New Jersey Supreme Court reversed the convictions of nine leaders of the German-American Bund, ruling that the state's 1935 "race hatred" law violated the free speech provisions of the federal and state constitutions.

75 years ago
1946

Defense
Despite a drop in enlistments, the U.S. War Department extended the draft suspension through January 1947

Politics and government
Elections for the Berlin City Council resulted in Social Democrats winning seven of 14 seats, allowing Socialist Otto Ostrowski to become Lord Mayor of Berlin.

The U.S. Senate Campaign Investigating Committee ended a four-day probe into the campaign tactics of Sen. Theodore Bilbo (Democrat--Mississippi) after hearing the testimony of over 50 Negroes who charged that they had been prevented from voting in the Mississippi Democratic primary.

U.S. Civilian Production Administrator John Small resigned.

U.S. President Harry Truman established a 15-man Committee on Civil Rights, with General Motors President Charles Wilson as chairman.

Energy
The Little Inch pipeline, operated by Tennessee Gas and Transmission Company, began moving natural gas from the southwestern United States to the northeastern part of the country at a rate of 50 million cubic feet per day.

Economics and finance
Despite an impassioned appeal from United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Agency director Fiorello La Guardia to the UN Economic and Financial Committee, The U.S.A. and U.K. refused to join any new international relief agency.

70 years ago
1951

Died on this date
Joe Jackson, 64. U.S. baseball player. "Shoeless Joe," so nicknamed because he once played in the outfield without shoes because they were causing discomfort, was an outfielder with the Philadelphia Athletics (1908-1909); Cleveland Naps/Indians (1910-1915); and Chicago White Sox (1915-1920), batting .356 with 54 home runs and 785 runs batted in in 1,332 games. He led the American League in slugging in 1913 (.551), led the AL in hits twice, and in triples three times, but never won a batting title, because Ty Cobb was always a little ahead of him. Mr. Jackson helped the White Sox win the World Series in 1917 and the AL pennant in 1919, batting .345 with 1 homer and 8 RBIs in 14 World Series games. Despite hitting .375 with 1 home run and 6 RBIs in 8 games in the 1919 World Series, Mr. Jackson was one of the eight "Black Sox" players banned for life from organized baseball after the 1920 season for taking bribes to lose the series to the Cincinnati Reds. He played in outlaw leagues in the Southern states until he was nearly 50. Mr. Jackson was illiterate, but that didn't prevent him from running a successful restaurant and liquor store in his hometown of Greenville, South Carolina. He suffered from diabetes and liver and heart problems in later years, and died two weeks before a scheduled guest appearance on Ed Sullivan's Toast of the Town television variety program. Mr. Jackson made occasional appeals for reinstatement during his lifetime, and many such appeals have been made on his behalf since his death, especially in recent years, in order that he might be eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Mexicana
The Mexican Congress approved the establishment of a ninth Mexican state, Baja California, to include the cities of Tijuana and Mexicali.

Diplomacy
Western European states meeting in Brussels established a Provisional Intergovernmental Committee for the Movement of Migrants from Europe to supervise the migration of 115,000 stateless refugees after the International Refugee Organization closed down earlier this month.

Defense
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Lovett announced that the fiscal 1953 military budget now being drafted called for expansion of the Air Force from its present 90 wings to 143.

Technology
Parking Services, Inc. opened the first completely automated public garage in Washington, D.C.

Medicine
The American Red Cross, U.S. Public Health Service, and National Research Council announced their approval of the Holger Nielsen ("back-pressure arm-lift") method of artificial respiration to replace the Schafer ("prone pressure") method that had been standard in the United States since 1927.

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 (3rd week at #1)

On television tonight
Alfred Hitchcock Presents, on NBC
Tonight's episode: I Spy, starring Kay Parker, Eric Barker, and Cecil Parker

Died on this date
Emil Fuchs, 83. German-born U.S. baseball executive. Mr. Fuchs emigrated to New York City with his family in 1883. He was a catcher in the Class D New Jersey State League (1897), but an injury ended his career. Mr. Fuchs became a lawyer, and served as a New York City Magistrate (1917-1918), and was thereafter referred to as Judge Fuchs. He returned to the practice of law,and was the lawyer for the New York Giants before buying the Boston Braves in partnership with Christy Mathewson and others in 1923, and taking the title of vice president. The Braves engaged in various promotional gimmicks in an attempt to increase attendance for a losing team. After Mr. Mathewson died from the effects of tuberculosis in 1925, Judge Fuchs was elevated to the title of president. He succeeded in getting Sunday baseball legalized in Boston, which had the effect of increasing attendance at Braves' games. Judge Fuchs managed the Braves in 1929, leading them to a 56-98 record, eighth and last in the National League. The Braves slowly improved, and contended for the NL pennant in 1933, but declined in 1934. Judge Fuchs continued to lose money on the franchise, and an attempt to have dog racing at Braves Field was disallowed by baseball commissioner Kenesaw M. Landis. Babe Ruth joined the Braves in 1935, but he was at the end of career, and played only 28 games before retiring. The Braves finished with a dismal 38-115 record--the worst of any major league team in the 1930s--and Judge Fuchs turned over control of the team to partner Charles Adams on August 1, 1935. Judge Fuchs returned to the practice of law, but continued to attend baseball games in Boston and New York until his death from a coronary thrombosis following a 10-week illness.

50 years ago
1971

War
The two-day Battle of Gazipur concluded with Pakistani forces defeated by Indian and Bangladeshi forces, with India ceding Gazipur to Bangladesh.

Business
In the largest recall in automotive history to date, General Motors announced that it would correct at its own expense a defect involving the motor mounts in 6.7 million 1965-1969 Chevrolet cars and trucks.

Football
NFL
Philadelphia (4-7-1) 23 @ Detroit (7-4-1) 20
New Orleans (4-6-2) 28 @ Los Angeles (7-4-1) 45
Green Bay (3-7-2) 16 @ St. Louis (4-7-1) 16
Cincinnati (4-8) 27 @ Cleveland (7-5) 31
Chicago (6-6) 3 @ Denver (4-7-1) 6
New York Giants (4-8) 7 @ Washington (8-3-1) 23
Miami (9-2-1) 13 @ New England (5-7) 34
Buffalo (1-11) 0 @ Baltimore (9-3) 24
Pittsburgh (5-7) 3 @ Houston (2-9-1) 29
Minnesota (9-3) 14 @ San Diego (5-7) 30
Oakland (7-3-2) 13 @ Atlanta (6-5-1) 24

See video.

40 years ago
1981

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): Bette Davis Eyes--Kim Carnes (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Physical--Olivia Newton-John

#1 single in Ireland: Begin the Beguine (Volver a Empezar)--Julio Iglesias (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Under Pressure--Queen & David Bowie (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Begin the Beguine (Volver a Empezar)--Julio Iglesias

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Pretend--Alvin Stardust (2nd week at #1)
2 Under Pressure--Queen & David Bowie
3 R.R. Express--Rose Royce
4 Every Little Thing She Does is Magic--The Police
5 Physical--Olivia Newton-John
6 Let's Groove--Earth Wind & Fire
7 Why Do Fools Fall in Love--Diana Ross
8 Your Love Still Brings Me To My Knees--Marcia Hines
9 Love Games--Level 42
10 Let's Start II Dance Again--Bohannon

Singles entering the chart were They Don't Play Our Lovesong Anymore by Anita Meyer (#25); Waiting on a Friend by the Rolling Stones (#27); Controversy by Prince (#28); All Alone am I by Timi Yuro (#30); Desire by Future's World Orchestra (#33); Vrijgezel by Benny Neyman (#34); Little Lady by Aneka (#36); and Halverwege Amsterdam en Bremershaven by New Four (#38).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Physical--Olivia Newton-John (3rd week at #1)
2 Waiting for a Girl Like You--Foreigner
3 Every Little Thing She Does is Magic--The Police
4 Oh No--Commodores
5 Here I Am (Just When I Thought I was Over You)--Air Supply
6 Private Eyes--Daryl Hall & John Oates
7 Let's Groove--Earth, Wind & Fire
8 Young Turks--Rod Stewart
9 Why Do Fools Fall in Love--Diana Ross
10 Start Me Up--Rolling Stones

Singles entering the chart were Waiting on a Friend by the Rolling Stones (#70); Breakin' Away by Al Jarreau (#81); Take it Easy on Me by Little River Band (#82); Love is Alright Tonite by Rick Springfield (#84); The Woman in Me by Crystal Gayle (#87); Could it Be Love by Jennifer Warnes (#88); Little Darlin' by Sheila (#89); and Runaway Rita by Leif Garrett (#90).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Physical--Olivia Newton-John (3rd week at #1)
2 Waiting for a Girl Like You--Foreigner
3 Private Eyes--Daryl Hall & John Oates
4 Oh No--Commodores
5 Here I Am--Air Supply
6 Let's Groove--Earth, Wind & Fire
7 Every Little Thing She Does is Magic--The Police
8 Young Turks--Rod Stewart
9 Why Do Fools Fall in Love--Diana Ross
10 Start Me Up--Rolling Stones

Singles entering the chart were Waiting on a Friend by the Rolling Stones (#49); Love is Alright Tonite by Rick Springfield (#76); Take it Easy on Me by Little River Band (#77); Sea of Love by Del Shannon (#86); Little Darlin' by Sheila (#88); Closer to the Heart by Rush (#89); and It's My Party by Dave Stewart with Barbara Gaskin (#92).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Record World)
1 Physical--Olivia Newton-John (3rd week at #1)
2 Waiting for a Girl Like You--Foreigner
3 Private Eyes--Daryl Hall & John Oates
4 Here I Am (Just When I Thought I was Over You)--Air Supply
5 Oh No--Commodores
6 Start Me Up--Rolling Stones
7 Why Do Fools Fall in Love--Diana Ross
8 Every Little Thing She Does is Magic--The Police
9 Young Turks--Rod Stewart
10 Let's Groove--Earth, Wind & Fire

Singles entering the chart were Waiting on a Friend by the Rolling Stones (#45); Love is Alright Tonite by Rick Springfield (#71); Leader of the Band by Dan Fogelberg (#79); Take it Easy on Me by Little River Band (#81); Breakin' Away by Al Jarreau (#90); Walking Into Sunshine by Central Line (#91); Hit and Run by the Bar-Kays (#96); and Let the Feeling Flow by Peabo Bryson (#99).

Canada’s Top 10 (RPM)
1 The Friends of Mr. Cairo--Jon and Vangelis (4th week at #1)
2 Waiting for a Girl Like You--Foreigner
3 My Girl (Gone, Gone, Gone)--Chilliwack
4 Arthur's Theme (Best that You Can Do)--Christopher Cross
5 Physical--Olivia Newton-John
6 Young Turks--Rod Stewart
7 Every Little Thing She Does is Magic--The Police
8 Private Eyes--Daryl Hall & John Oates
9 No Reply at All--Genesis
10 Endless Love--Diana Ross and Lionel Richie

Singles entering the chart were I Can't Go for That (No Can Do) by Daryl Hall & John Oates (#39); Shake it Up by the Cars (#41); The Old Songs by Barry Manilow (#44); Tainted Love by Soft Cell (#47); and Love Song by Simple Minds (#48).

Football
NCAA
University of Southern California Trojans' running back Marcus Allen, who had become the first player to rush for 2,000 yards in a season, won the Heisman Trophy as the most outstanding college player in the United States.

Army 3 Navy 3 @ Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia

30 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Zigzagging--Zig and Zag (3rd week at #1)

Died on this date
Robert Karvelas, 70. U.S. actor. Mr. Karvelas was best known for playing Larrabee in the television comedy series Get Smart (1965-1970); he was the cousin of Get Smart star Don Adams.

Law
Gun control legislation in Canada received royal assent. The bill banned imports of automatic assault weapons, and imposed safe-storage rules and a waiting period to buy guns. The measure, overseen by Justice Minister Kim Campbell, passed in the House of Commons only after Prime Minister Brian Mulroney moved to quell dissent in his caucus.

Business
A month after the death of U.K. publisher Robert Maxwell, administrators were called in to try to salvage Mr. Maxwell's business empire, which was at least £1 billion in debt.

25 years ago
1996

Hit parade
#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): Roses Are Red--Aqua

#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Breathe--The Prodigy (3rd week at #1)

Died on this date
Wilf Carter, 91. Canadian musician. Mr. Carter, a native of Port Hilford, Nova Scotia, moved to Calgary at the age of 18, and in 1930 began performing on radio as a country and western singer and guitarist, with a distinctive yodelling style. He made his first recordings in 1933, and became the first Canadian country artist to achieve popularity in the United States, where he was known as "Montana Slim," hosting his own radio program on CBS from 1934-1940. Mr. Carter was seriously injured in a car accident in 1940 and didn't resume touring until 1949, but was still able to record. He wrote more than 500 songs, and in 1971 was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Mr. Carter continued to perform and record until hearing loss forced him to retire in 1992. He died in Scottsdale Arizona, 13 days before his 92nd birthday.