December 30, 2021

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Gladys Lucy Pomazongo Levano!

430 years ago
1591

Died on this date
Innocent IX. Roman Catholic Pope, 1591. Innocent IX, born Giovanni Antonio Facchinetti, became a priest in 1544 and was made a cardinal in 1583. He succeeded Gregory XIV on thee papal throne, and was crowned on November 3, 1591. He died after less than two months in office, and was succeeded by Clement VIII.

180 years ago
1841

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

170 years ago
1851

Born on this date
Asa Candler. U.S. businessman and politician. Mr. Candler founded the Coca-Cola Company in 1892, and managed the company until 1917, when he took office as Mayor of Atlanta, serving until 1919. He died on March 12, 1929 at the age of 77, three years after suffering a stroke.

160 years ago
1861

Defense
As a result of the "Trent Affair" (the seizure of two Confederate diplomats from a British vessel on the high seas), 6,000 British troops from the 62nd Wiltshire Regiment landed at St. Andrews, New Brunswick with orders to march overland to Canada to defend against a possible American invasion.

125 years ago
1896

Born on this date
Tom Keene. U.S. actor. Mr. Keene, whose real name was George Duryea, also acted under the name Richard Powers. He appeared in more than 120 movies and television programs, mainly low-budget Westerns. Mr. Keene's movies included Our Daily Bread (1934) and Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959). He died of cancer on August 4, 1963 at the age of 66.

Died on this date
José Rizal, 35. Filipino writer and polymath. Dr. Rizal, an ophthalmologist by profession, was a Philippine nationalist who was a key member of the Filipino Propaganda Movement, which advocated political reforms for the colony under Spain. His writings were blamed by Spanish authorities for helping to incite the Philippine Revolution in 1896. While en route to Cuba via Spain to minister to victims of yellow fever. Dr. Rizal was arrested and charged with rebellion, sedition, and conspiracy. Despite disavowing the revolution in its present state, he was convicted by a court martial and was executed by a Spanish firing squad in Manila. Dr. Rizal is regarded as a national hero in the Philippines.

Hockey
Stanley Cup
Montreal Victorias 6 @ Winnipeg Victorias 5 (1-game challenge)

Ernie McLea scored 3 goals, including the winner on a breakaway with less than 2 minutes remaining, to give Montreal the Cup over defending champion Winnipeg at Granite Rink in the first challenge to be played outside Montreal. Mr. McLea became the first player to score a hat trick in a Stanley Cup game. Winnipeg took an early 3-0 lead and led 4-2 at halftime.

110 years ago
1911

Born on this date
Jeanette Nolan. U.S. actress. Miss Nolan appeared in numerous radio and television programs and in movies such as Macbeth (1948) and The Big Heat (1953). She was nominated for four Emmy Awards, and died on June 5, 1998 at the age of 86.

Politics and government
Sun Yat-sen was elected the first President of the Republic of China.

100 years ago
1921

Born on this date
Rashid Karami. Prime Minister of Lebanon, 1955-1956; 1958-1960; 1961-1964; 1965-1966; 1966-1968; 1969-1970; 1975-1976; 1984-1987. Mr. Karami, an independent politician, had a political career of more than 30 years, and was Lebanon's Prime Minister 10 times. He advocated increased political power for the country's Muslim population, and was known as a man that Lebanon's President could call on in a crisis, despite political differences. Mr. Karami was killed on June 1, 1987 at the age of 65 and the country’s interior minister and several other people were injured when a bomb exploded in his helicopter during a flight to Beirut from his home town of Tripoli. It was believed that the bomb had been placed in his briefcase or under his seat. The co-pilot made an emergency landing. Mr. Karami had submitted his resignation on May 4, but President Amin Gemayel had not yet formally accepted it.

90 years ago
1931

On the radio
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Richard Gordon and Leigh Lovell, on NBC
Tonight's episode: The Hindoo in the Wicker Basket

80 years ago
1941

Movies
The New York Film Critics Circle Awards for 1941 were presented. The winners were: Picture--Citizen Kane; Director--John Ford (How Green was My Valley); Actor--Gary Cooper (Sergeant York); Actress--Joan Fontaine (Suspicion).

Diplomacy
British Prime Minister Winston Churchill addressed the Canadian parliament in Ottawa, where he delivered his "Some chicken...some neck" speech, and then posed for a famous photograph by Yousuf Karsh. Go here to see the full text of the speech.



U.K. Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden returned to London from his conference in Moscow with U.S.S.R. dictator Josef Stalin.

War
The U.S.S.R. announced that Soviet troops on the Caucasian front had landed on the Crimean peninsula, occupying the town and fortress of Kerch. Dispatches from Manila reported that Japanese troops were within 100 miles of the city. U.S. aviator Charles Lindbergh was revealed to have volunteered for active serice in the U.S. Army Air Forces. The U.S. Census Bureau reported that there were 25,829,788 men in the continental United States aged 20-44 who could be drafted for military service.

Space
Dr. Edwin Hubble of the Mount Wilson Observatory in California said that as a result of six years of observation through the observatory's 100-inch telescope, he doubted the theory that the universe was expanding.

Politics and government
Philippine President Manuel Quezon and Vice President Sergio Osmena were inaugurated into their second terms in a wartime ceremony near U.S. Army General Douglas MacArthur's headquarters.

Lieutenant General A.E. Percival declared martial law in Singapore, following four Japanese air raids the previous night.

Crime
Seven people were indicted in New York on charges of sending vital information to Germany.

Economics and finance
U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt announced that plans were underway to boost U.S. war production to 50% of the national income, or about $50 billion in the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1942.

U.S. federal Price Administrator Leon Henderson froze wholesale cigarette prices at the levels prevailing on December 26, and fixed maximum retail prices for automobile tires and tubes at the level in effect on November 25.

Labour
Greyhound companies agreed to arbitrate the strike of 1,800 bus drivers.

75 years ago
1946

Hit parade
U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 The Old Lamp-Lighter--Swing and Sway with Sammy Kaye (Vocal refrain by Billy Williams and Choir)
--Kay Kyser and his Orchestra
--Hal Derwin
2 Ole Buttermilk Sky--Kay Kyser and his Orchestra (vocal chorus by Michael Douglas and the Campus Kids)
--Hoagy Carmichael
--Helen Carroll and the Satisfiers
--Paul Weston and his Orchestra with Matt Dennis
3 Rumors are Flying--Frankie Carle and his Orchestra
--The Andrews Sisters with Les Paul
--Betty Rhodes
--Tony Martin
4 (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons--King Cole Trio
--Eddy Howard and his Orchestra
--Charlie Spivak and his Orchestra
5 A Gal in Calico--Tex Beneke with the Glenn Miller Orchestra
--Bing Crosby with the Calico Kids
--Johnny Mercer
6 The Things We Did Last Summer--Frank Sinatra
--Vaughn Monroe and his Orchestra
7 Huggin' and Chalkin'--Hoagy Carmichael
--Johnny Mercer
--Kay Kyser and his Orchestra
8 The Whole World is Singing My Song--Les Brown and his Orchestra
9 Passe--Tex Beneke with the Glenn Miller Orchestra
--Margaret Whiting
10 Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah--Sammy Kaye and his "Swing and Sway" Orchestra

Singles entering the chart were the version of (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons by Charlie Spivak and his Orchestra That's the Beginning of the End, with versions by Perry Como; and the King Cole Trio (#32).

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

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

Movies
The New York Film Critics Circle Awards for 1946 were presented. The winners were: Picture--The Best Years of Our Lives; Director--William Wyler (The Best Years of Our Lives); Actor--Laurence Olivier (Henry V); Actress--Celia Johnson (Brief Encounter); Foreign Language Film--Open City.

War
After conferring with French officials in Indochina, French Overseas Territories Minister Marius Moutet reiterated France's determination to re-establish "order" in the territory before resuming negotiations with nationalist guerrillas.

Politics and government
Republican Party U.S. congressional leadership filled majority posts in the new Senate: Arthur Vandenberg (Michigan)--President pro tempore; Wallace White, Jr. (Maine)--Majority floor leader; Robert Taft (Ohio)--steering committee chairman; Kenneth Wherry (Nebraska)--Majority whip; Eugene Milliken (Colorado)--Republican conference chairman.

Science
University of California physicist Glenn Seaborg, co-discoverer of plutonium, americium, and curium, was named "chemist of the year" in an American Chemical Society poll.

Energy
Despite Soviet objections, the United Nations Atomic Energy Commission appoved a U.S.-sponsored nuclear control plan recommending the creation of a strong international inspection agency not subject to a great power veto.

Argentina and Uruguay signed a pact allowing Argentina to receive electric power from the Uruguay River power project.

Economics and finance
Venezuela became the 40th nation to join the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

The Allied Control Council in Berlin announced the adoption of a law forbidding Germany to manufacture, possess, import, or export any equipment that may be used to wage war.

Labour
A U.S. federal circuit court of appeals in Chicago upheld the right of a union in a closed shop to force the discharge of a member for joining a rival union.

70 years ago
1951

On television tonight
Out There, on CBS
Tonight's episode: The Bus to Nowhere, starring Leonard Barry, Arthur Batanides, and Whit Bissell

War
Commander-in-Chief of the United Nations Command General Matthew Ridgway announced that the Japanese government would be given custody of 1,300 Japanese war criminals still serving sentences by March 21, 1952.

Diplomacy
Foreign ministers of six Western European countries agrred in Paris on most details of the European Army plan and recommended creating a supranational Parliament of Europe by 1955.

In a year-end speech, U.S. Secretary of State Dean Acheson admitted that "we have lost some ground" in the Middle East because of the Iranian and Suez disputes, but viewed Greece and Turkey as "bright spots."

Science
The American Association for the Advancement of Science awarded the $1,000 Newcomb Cleveland Prize to Columbia University oceanographer J. Laurence Kulp for developing a technique to measure the age of water through the radioactive carbon content of suspended organic matter.

Economics and finance
Iran banned foreign travel by its citizens, due to lack of foreign exchange.

Baseball
The Sporting News named Stan Musial of the St. Louis Cardinals as major league player of the year for 1951 and Leo Durocher of the New York Giants as major league manager of the year. "Stan the Man" batted .355 with 32 home runs and 108 runs batted in, leading the National League in batting average, runs (124); triples (12); and total bases (355). "Leo the Lip" led the Giants to the National League pennant as they came back from a 14½-game deficit in August to defeat the Brooklyn Dodgers in a 3-game playoff.

60 years ago
1961

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): My Boomerang Won't Come Back--Charlie Drake (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Italy: Nata per me--Adriano Celentano (6th week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Tanze mit mir in den Morgen--Gerhard Wendland

#1 single in the Netherlands (Dutch Top 40): I'm Gonna Knock on Your Door--Eddie Hodges (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (Record Mirror): Tower of Strength--Frankie Vaughan (4th week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 The Lion Sleeps Tonight--The Tokens (4th week at #1)
2 The Twist--Chubby Checker
3 Walk on By--Leroy Van Dyke
4 Run to Him--Bobby Vee
5 Please Mr. Postman--The Marvelettes
6 Can't Help Falling in Love--Elvis Presley
7 Peppermint Twist - Part I--Joey Dee & the Starliters
8 Moon River--Jerry Butler
--Henry Mancini, His Orchestra and Chorus
9 Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen--Neil Sedaka
10 When the Boy in Your Arms (Is the Boy in Your Heart)--Connie Francis

Singles entering the chart were Lost Someone by James Brown and the Famous Flames (#90); That's My Pa by Sheb Wooley (#95); I'm Blue (The Gong-Gong Song) by the Ikettes (#96); Fever by Pete Bennett and the Embers (#98); and I Told the Brook by Marty Robbins (#100).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CFUN)
1 Norman--Sue Thompson (2nd week at #1)
2 The Wanderer--Dion
3 Run to Him--Bobby Vee
4 Hey! Little Girl--Del Shannon
5 Walkin' with My Angel--Bobby Vee
6 The Twist--Chubby Checker
7 Multiplication--Bobby Darin
8 Walkin' Back to Happiness--Helen Shapiro
9 The Lion Sleeps Tonight--The Tokens
10 Please Mr. Postman--The Marvelettes

Singles entering the chart were Bonnie B by Jerry Lee Lewis (#24); Bandit of My Dreams by Eddie Hodges (#28); My Boomerang Won't Come Back by Charlie Drake (#31); Patti Ann by Johnny Crawford (#36); I Know (You Don't Love Me No More) by Barbara George (#39); Baby it's You by the Shirelles (#45); and Lonely Sixteen by Janie Black (#50).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CKWX)
1 Norman--Sue Thompson
2 Dear Ivan--Jimmy Dean
3 The Twist--Chubby Checker
4 The Wanderer/The Majestic--Dion
5 Peppermint Twist--Joey Dee & the Starliters
6 A Little Bitty Tear--Burl Ives
7 Multiplication--Bobby Darin
8 Walkin' with My Angel/Run to Him--Bobby Vee
9 When the Boy in Your Arms (Is the Boy in Your Heart)--Connie Francis
10 The Lion Sleeps Tonight--The Tokens

Singles entering the chart were Dear Lady Twist by Gary (U.S.) Bonds (#26); The Ballad of Thunder Road by Robert Mitchum (#30); Young Love by Sonny James (#34); I Could Have Loved You by Ray Peterson (#36); Mugmates/Bandit of My Dreams by Eddie Hodges (#39); and Little Altar Boy by Vic Dana (#40).

Football
NCAA
Blue-Gray Game @ Cramton Bowl, Montgomery, Alabama
Gray 9 Blue 7

50 years ago
1971

Hit parade
#1 single in France (IFOP): Pop Concerto--Pop Concerto Orchestra

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): O Holy Night--Tommy Drennan (2nd week at #1)

Died on this date
Jo Cals, 57. Prime Minister of the Netherlands, 1965-1966. Mr. Cals, a member of the Roman Catholic State Party until 1945 and the Catholic People's Party thereafter, was a member of the House of Representatives (1948-1950, 1952, 1956, 1959, 1963-1965), and was State Secretary/Minister for Education, Arts and Sciences (1950-1961) before serving as Prime Minister from April 1965-November 1966. He left politics after his government fell after losing a vote involving the budget. Mr. Cals died of a brain tumour.

World events
Iraq announced that it had expelled 60,000 Iranian men, women, and children over the past few days; Iraq had severed diplomatic relations with Iran earlier inthe month.

30 years ago
1981

Hockey
NHL
Philadelphia (22-13-1) 5 @ Edmonton (25-8-6) 7

Wayne Gretzky scored 5 goals--his 46th through 50th of the season--to lead the Oilers past the Flyers at Northlands Coliseum. Mr. Gretzky's last goal, into an empty net, gave him the distinction of reaching the 50-goal mark in one season in the fewest games; it was just the Oilers' 39th game of the season.



30 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Sore ga Daiji (それが大事)--Daiji-man Brothers Band

#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Live and Let Die--Guns N' Roses (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Germany (Media Control): Let's Talk About Sex--Salt-N-Pepa (7th week at #1)

25 years ago
1996

Hit parade
#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Child--Mark Owen (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Norway (VG-lista): Don't Speak--No Doubt (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Germany (Media Control): Time to Say Goodbye--Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Canada (RPM): Head Over Feet--Alanis Morissette (7th week at #1)

Died on this date
Lew Ayres, 88. U.S. actor. Mr. Ayres had a career that spanned 65 years, but was best known for his starring role in the movie All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) and for playing Dr. Kildare in a series of nine films from 1938-1942. He died two days after his 88th birthday.

Juan Antonio Canta, 30. Spanish musician. Mr. Canta, whose real name was Juan Antonio Castillo Madico, was a singer-songwriter and guitarist who co-founded the pop group Pabellَn psiquiلtrico, who recorded four albums from 1987-1991. He then became a solo artist, and was best known for the single La danza de los 40 limones, which reached number one on the PROMUSICAE chart for five weeks in May-June 1996. Mr. Canta suffered from constant depression, and committed suicide by hanging himself at his home in Cَrdoba.

Protest
250,000 workers in Israel shut down services in protest against proposed budget cuts by the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

20 years ago
2001

Terrorism
Pakistani authorities arrested Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, founder of one of the Muslim groups believed to be behind the December 13, 2001 attack on India's Parliament House in New Delhi. 12 people had been killed in the five-man attack.

Politics and government
Adolfo Rodriguez Saa resigned as interim President of Argentina, just a week after taking office.

10 years ago
2011

Died on this date
Ronald Searle, 91. U.K.-born artist. Mr. Searle worked in various genre, but was mainly known as a cartoonist. He created and the comic strip St. Trinian's School (1946-1952), which inspired a series of comic films. Mr. Searle also illustrated the Molesworth novels written by Geoffrey Willans in the 1950s. He moved to France in 1961, and lived the rest of his life there.

Oddities
Samoa and Tokelau skipped this date, as they changed their time zones and jumped to the other side of the International Date Line, moving directly from December 29 to December 31, 2011.

December 27, 2021

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Marilyn Draper!

500 years ago
1521

Religion
The Zwickau prophets--Nicholas Storch, Thomas Dreschel and Markus Stübner--arrived in Wittenberg after their exile from Zwickau, continuing their radical Reformation activities.

450 years ago
1571

Born on this date
Johannes Kepler. German astronomer and mathematician. Mr. Kepler was one of the most influential astronomers in history, best known for his laws of planetary motion. He believed that God created the world according to an intelligible plan that is accessible through the natural light of reason. Mr. Kepler's books included Astronomia nova (1609); Harmonices Mundi (1619); and Epitome Astronomiae Copernicanae (three volumes, 1618-1621). He served as imperial mathematician to Holy Roman Emperors Rudolf II, Matthias, and Ferdinand II, and while often criticizing astrology, devised horoscopes in order to make a living. Mr. Kepler died after a brief illness on November 15, 1630 at the age of 58.

300 years ago
1721

Born on this date
François Hemsterhuis. Dutch philosopher. Mr. Hemsterhuis wrote on aesthetics and moral philosophy. His philosophy has been characterized as Socratic in content and Platonic in form; its foundation was the desire for self-knowledge and truth, untrammelled by the rigid bonds of any particular system. Mr. Hemsterhuis died on July 7, 1790 at the age of 68.

260 years ago
1761

Born on this date
Michael Andreas Barclay de Tolly, 56. Russian military officer and politician. Prince Michael was a Field Marshal in the Imperial Russian Army who was best known for his military reforms and leadership during the 1812 invasion of Russia by French forces commanded by Napoleon Bonaparte. Prince Michael was Governor-General of Finland from 1809-1810. He died while on a visit to Germany on May 26, 1818 at the age of 56.

250 years ago
1771

Died on this date
Henri Pitot, 76. French physicist and engineer. Mr. Pitot was a hydraulic engineer who invented the Pitot tube, and designed the Aqueduc de Saint-Clément near Montpellier and the extension of Pont du Gard in Nîmes.

190 years ago
1831

Exploration
English naturalist Charles Darwin began his voyage to the New World aboard the HMS Beagle.

140 years ago
1881

Born on this date
António Granjo. Prime Minister of Portugal, 1920, 1921. Mr. Granjo was a lawyer and a republican who was first elected to the National Constituent Assembly in 1911, resigning to serve in World War I. He was President of the Municipal Chamber of Chaves (February-July 1919) and was elected to the Chamber of Deputies later in 1919 as a member of the Evolutionist Party, which soon merged into the Republican Liberal Party. Mr. Granjo led coalition governments from July 19-November 20, 1920 and August 30 until his forced resignation and assassination at the age of 39 on October 19, 1921 as part of the military insurrection known as Bloody Night.

125 years ago
1896

Born on this date
Louis Bromfield. U.S. author and conservationist. Mr. Bromfield won the 1927 Pulitzer Prize for his novel Early Autumn; his other novels incuded The Rains Came (1937) and Mrs. Parkington (1943). He operated a farm in Ohio, and was one of the first modern champions of organic and self-sustaining farming. Mr. Bromfield died on March 18, 1956 at the age of 59.

120 years ago
1901

Born on this date
Irene Handl. U.K. actress. Miss Handl was a character actress who appeared in more than 100 movies, as well as numerous television programs, in a career spanning 50 years. Her films included Night Train to Munich (1940); Spellbound (1945); and Brief Encounter (1945). Miss Handl died of breast cancer on November 29, 1987, four weeks before her 86th birthday.

Marlene Dietrich. German-born U.S. actress and singer. Miss Dietrich became a star in her native land with her appearance in The Blue Angel (1930), and then moved to Hollywood, where her movies included Morocco (1930); Blonde Venus (1932); Desire (1936); Destry Rides Again (1939); A Foreign Affair (1948); Witness for the Prosecution (1957); Touch of Evil (1958); and Judgement at Nuremberg (1961). Miss Dietrich was an opponent of Germany's Nazi regime and aided the Allied effort in World War II. She narrated the documentary Black Fox: The True Story of Adolf Hitler, which won the Academy Award as best documentary feature of 1962. Miss Dietrich was known for performing the songs Falling in Love Again and Lili Marlene. She died of kidney failure on May 6, 1992 at the age of 90.

110 years ago
1911

Born on this date
Anna Russell. U.K.-born Canadian musician. Miss Russell, born Anna Russell-Brown, was a pianist and singer known for her parodies of operas, reaching the peak of her popularity in the 1960s. She died on October 18, 2006 at the age of 94.

Indianica
Jana Gana Mana, the national anthem of India, was first sung in the Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress.

80 years ago
1941

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Chattanooga Choo Choo--Glenn Miller and his Orchestra (Vocal refrain by Tex Beneke and the Four Modernaires) (4th week at #1)

War
Japanese planes bombed the undefended open city of Manila for 40 minutes in the morning and 3 hours 22 minutes in the afternoon, starting huge fires. The U.S.S.R. announced the capture of Likhvin, Vysokinichi, Novosil, and Tim on the front southwest of Moscow.

Diplomacy
U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and U.K. Prime Minister Winston Churchill, continuing their talks in Washington, assured representatives of Axis-occupied countries that the United States and United Kingdom would do everything possible to restore their independence after World War II. Mr. Roosevelt announced that "excellent progress" had been made during the conferences of 26 Allied governments in Washington to prosecute the war on a worldwide scale.

Society
U.S. Attorney General Francis Biddle issued an order requiring all Japanese, German, and Italian aliens in seven Pacific Coast states to surrender their shortwave radio sets and cameras to local police.

Economics and finance
The U.S. Office of Production Management issued an order, effective immediately, restricting the manufacture of new farm machinery in the 12-month period beginning November 1, 1941 to 83% of 1940 production.

Labour
Federal spokesmen announced that the American Federation of Labor Amalgamated Association of Street, Electric Railway and Motor Coach Employes had agreed to end the six-day strike by 1,500 Greyhound drivers and submit the dispute to arbitration.

Disasters
Lisbon was rocked by a severe earthquake at 6:25 P.M.

Football
NCAA
Blue-Gray Game @ Cramton Bowl, Montgomery, Alabama
Blue 16 Gray 0

75 years ago
1946

War
Fighting between French forces and Vietnamese nationalists spread to Cochin, China, where 24 civilians were killed.

Economics and finance
Albania and Yugoslavia ratified a pact providing for economic collaboration.

The U.S. State Department announced that it would release $19.3 million in Polish assets frozen in the United States and $27.5 million in gold to the current Polish government.

U.S. Reconstruction Finance Corporation Director George Allen resigned after urging that the agency be reduced to a lending institution for banks and small businesses.

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission authorized a 10% rate increase by Western Union Telegraph Company.

Cuba's cabinet raised the wages of all public employees $5-$10 monthly.

Tennis
With Jack Kramer and Ted Schroeder winning the men's doubles event in Melbourne, the United States won the Davis Cup for the first time since 1938.

70 years ago
1951

Movies
The New York Film Critics Circle Awards for 1951 were announced. The winners were: Picture--A Streetcar Named Desire; Director--Elia Kazan (A Streetcar Named Desire); Actor--Arthur Kennedy (Bright Victory); Actress--Vivian Leigh (A Streetcar named Desire); Foreign Language Film--Miracolo a Milano (Miracle in Milan).

War
U.S. and Communist truce teams in Panmunjom failed to conclude an armistice by midnight, thus nullifying the November 27 agreement on a Korean cease-fire line.

World events
The Romanian government announced the execution of five Romanians convicted by a military court of spying for the United States.

Politics and government
Former Minnesota Governor Harold Stassen announced in Philadelphia that he would seek the 1952 Republican Party nomination for President of the United States.

Crime
Communist Party U.S.A. official Gus Hall was sentenced in New York to an additional three years in prison for jumping bail to escape his five-year sentence for conspiracy.

Transportation
The first right-hand drive automobile for the delivery of mail in the United States was put into service in Cincinnati.

Economics and finance
Brazilian President Getulio Vargas signed a bill enabling the government to control prices and buy and sell essential goods.

Labour
The United Steel Workers of America's Wage Policy Committee cancelled a strike scheduled for January 1, 1952, leaving the strike decision up to a special convention to open January 3 in Atlantic City.

Olympics
Soviet press announced that the U.S.S.R. would enter the Summer Olympic Games in 1952 for the first time since the participation of pre-Soviet Russia in 1912.

60 years ago
1961

At the movies
The Outsider, directed by Delbert Mann, and starring Tony Curtis, James Franciscus, and Bruce Bennett, opened in theatres in Los Angeles.



50 years ago
1971

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Imagine--John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Ame no Midōsuji--Ouyang Fei Fei (8th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Mammy Blue--Pop-Tops (10th week at #1)

Diplomacy
Delegates representing 18 Arab countries met in Cairo to discuss plans for coordinating military and economic strategy against Israel.

40 years ago
1981

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): How Great Thou Art--Howard Morrison (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Sharazan--Al Bano & Romina Power

Died on this date
Hoagy Carmichael, 82. U.S. musician and songwriter. Mr. Carmichael, one of the best-known American songwriters of the first half of the 20th century, wrote such standards as Stardust and Georgia on My Mind. He appeared in several movies, usually as a pianist. In the last year or two of his life, Mr. Carmichael appeared in a television commercial for recordings of his greatest hits; the ad began with a clip of Ole Buttermilk Sky, followed by Mr. Carmichael saying, "Ole Buttermilk Sky; they don't make 'em like that anymore--maybe they shouldn't."

Hockey
NHL
Los Angeles (13-20-3) 3 @ Edmonton (24-8-6) 10

Wayne Gretzky scored 4 goals and 1 assist to set the league record for the fastest 100 points in a season, helping the Oilers rout the Kings at Northlands Coliseum. Mr. Gretzky was playing his 38th game of the season, breaking Phil Esposito's mark of 51 games set in 1970-71. Mr. Gretzky's goals game him 45 for the season. Steve Bozek scored all 3 Los Angeles goals.

Football
NFL
AFC Wild Card Playoff
Buffalo 31 @ New York Jets 27

See video.

NFC Wild Card Playoff
New York Giants 27 @ Philadelphia 21



25 years ago
1996

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Breathe--The Prodigy (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): 2 Become 1--Spice Girls (2nd week at #1)

War
Taliban forces in Afghanistan recaptured the strategic Bagram Airfield, which solidified their buffer zone around Kabul.

20 years ago
2001

Abominations
The United States announced plans to hold Taliban and Al-Qaeda prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

U.S. President George W. Bush permanently normalized trade relations between the U.S.A. and China.

Politics and government
Movement for Multi-Party Democracy candidate Levy Mwanawasa was elected President of Zambia, receiving 29.15% of the vote. United Party for National Development candidate Anderson Mazoka was second with 27.20% of the vote, with nine other candidates also participating. The Movement for Multi-Party Democracy won a plurality of seats in the 159-seat National Assembly, but their total of 69 seats was a decrease of 62 from before the election. Five new parties won at least one seat; the United Party for National Development, in its first election, was second with 49 seats.

10 years ago
2011

Died on this date
Johnny Wilson, 82. Canadian-born U.S. hockey player and coach. Mr. Wilson, a native of Kincardine, Ontario, played left wing with the Detyroit Red Wings (1950-55, 1957-59); Chicago Black Hawks (1955-57); Toronto Maple Leafs (1959-61); and New York Rangers (1961-62), scoring 332 points on 161 goals and 171 assists in 688 regular season games and 14 goals and 13 assists in 66 playoff games. He set a record, since broken, of 580 consecutive regular season games played (1951-60), including 8 straight complete 70-game seasons. Mr. Wilson helped the Red Wings win four Stanley Cup championships (1950, 1952, 1954-1955). He coached at Princeton University (1965-67) and then in the minor leagues, leading the Springfield Kings to the Calder Cup championship in 1971. Mr. Wilson coached the Los Angeles Kings (1969-70); Detroit Red Wings (1971-73); Colorado Rockies (1976-77); and Pittsburgh Penguins (1977-80) in the NHL, compiling a record of 187-241-89. He coached in the World Hockey Association with the Michigan Stags/Baltimore Blades (1974-75) and Cleveland Crusaders (1975-76), compiling a record of 56-93-9. Mr. Wilson coached Canada's entry in the 1977 IIHF World Championships, leading the team to a fourth-place finish in Canada's first appearance in the tournament in eight years. He settled in the Detroit area, and died of pulmonary fibrosis.

December 22, 2021

1,620 years ago
401

Religion
Innocent I was elected Roman Catholic Pope, three days after the death of his father Pope Anastasius I. Innocent I remains the only man to succeed his father as Bishop of Rome.

380 years ago
1641

Died on this date
Maximilien de Béthune, Duke of Sully, 81. Chief Minister of France, 1589-1611. The Duke of Sully served in the Protestant army as a teenager during the religious wars in the 1570s. As Chief Minister, Superintendent of Finances, and adviser to King Henri IV, he built a strong centralized administrative system in France using coercion and highly effective new administrative techniques, but was unpopular, and his power was weakened after the assassination of King Henri in 1610. The Duke of Sully resigned in 1611, and died nine days after his 81st birthday.

325 years ago
1696

Born on this date
James Oglethorpe. U.K. military officer and politician. Mr. Oglethorpe was a general who fought with Holy Roman Empire forces in the Austro-Turkish War (1716-1718) before returning to England. A Tory, he represented Haslemere in the House of Commons (1722-1754). As chairman of the Gaols Committee in 1729, he recommended creating a buffer colony in British North America between the Carolinas and Florida, to be settled by those released from debtors' prisons. Mr. Oglethorpe thus founded Georgia, serving as its first Governor (1732-1743). He returned to England after an unsuccessful siege of St. Augustine, Florida, was unsuccessful in leading British troops in the Jacobite rising of 1745, and served undercover in the Prussian Army during the Seven Years' War. Mr. Oglethorpe died on June 30, 1785 at the age of 88.

170 years ago
1851

Transportation
India's first freight train was operated in Roorkee to transport material for the construction of the Ganges Canal.

130 years ago
1891

Died on this date
Paul de Lagarde, 64. German orientalist. Professor Lagarde, born Paul Bötticher, taught oriental languages at the University of Göttingen. He was the most renowned scholar of the Septuagint in the 19th century, but he rejected the Bible as the Word of God, and opposed Christianity and Jews, advocating a German folkish religion, racial Darwinism, and German imperialism within Europe. Prof. Lagarde's ideas influenced Nazi ideology, especially that of theorist Alfred Rosenberg.

Space
Asteroid 323 Brucia became the first asteroid to be discovered using photography.

120 years ago
1901

Born on this date
Andre Kostelanetz. Russian-born orchestra conductor. Mr. Kostelanetz moved to the United States in 1922, and began conducting orchestras on radio. He had his own program, Andre Kostelanetz Presents, in the 1930s, but was best known for the many albums of "easy listening" music that he conducted from the 1940s until his death on January 13, 1980, 22 days after his 78th birthday, which resulted from pneumonia contracted while on vacation in Haiti, 13 days after conducting a New Year's Eve concert in San Francisco.

100 years ago
1921

Born on this date
Hawkshaw Hawkins. U.S. musician. Harold Franklin Hawkins was a country singer, songwriter, and guitarist who was popular in the late '40s and early '50s, recording such hits as Pan American (1948); Dog House Boogie (1948); Slow Poke (1951); and Lonesome 7-7203 (1963), which reached #1 on the Billboard country chart several weeks after his death on March 5, 1963 at the age of 41 in a plane crash that also took the lives of fellow artists Patsy Cline and Cowboy Copas.

Dimitri Fampas. Greek musician and composer. Mr. Fampas was a classical guitarist who had a national and international performing and recording career spanning more than 35 years. He taught at the National Conservatory of Athens, with his students winning several dozen international awards. Mr. Fampas created two guitar orchestras, and composed more than 200 guitar works. He died on May 3, 1996 at the age of 74.

Academia
Visva-Bharati College, now Visva Bharati University, opened in Shantiniketan, West Bengal, India.

90 years ago
1931

Television
The first experimental broadcast from a transmitter atop the Empire State Building in New York City took place. The transmitter was put up by NBC on October 30, 1931.

80 years ago
1941

Died on this date
Karel Hašler, 62. Czech entertainer. Mr. Hašler was an actor, director, singer, and songwriter who acted in plays and operated various cabarets in a career that began in the late 1890s. He appeared in silent and sound films from 1914-1941. Mr. Hašler's patriotic songs led to his arrest by the Gestapo in September 1941; he was taken to Malthausen concentration camp in Germany, where he was tortured to death.

War
Japanese troops captured Wake Island--2,000 miles west of Honolulu--after two weeks of attacks; the island had been garrisoned by fewer than 400 U.S. Marines. 80,000-100,000 Japanese troops attempted to land around Lingayen on the Philippine island of Luzon at dawn under strong naval air escort. Marshal Klementy Voroshilov was named commander of Soviet troops in the Far East. U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the amended Selective Service bill under which men aged 20-44 would be subject to military service. The U.S. War Department reported that 273 fifth columnists had been arrested among the 35,000 Japanese aliens in Hawaii.

Diplomacy
British Prime Minister Winston Churchill arrived in Washington with an 86-man delegation to discuss with U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt all questions relevant to the concerted war effort.

Labour
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7-0 that an employer had the right to express his views on labour unions so long as he did not attempt to coerce his employees.

U.S. troops were withdrawn from strike duty in San Francisco. About 495 of 3,000 welders on the day shift continued picketing.

75 years ago
1946

Movies
Humphrey Bogart signed a record 15-year contract with Warner Brothers.

Defense
The U.S. National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics revealed the development of "Tiamat," an experimental winged rocket missile with a speed of 600 miles per hour.

Politics and government
The Polish government reported that the Peasant Party had been allowed to file candidates for the forthcoming elections in all 52 electoral districts.

British Viceroy of India Sir Archibald Wavell returned to New Delhi from conferences in London.

Economics and finance
U.K. and U.S.S.R. officials in Germany signed a three-month agreement by which the Soviet zone would furnish grain, forage, fuel, and wood pulp to the British zone in return for iron, steel, and tires.

Football
AAFC
Championship @ Cleveland Stadium
New York 9 @ Cleveland 14

Otto Graham's 16-yard touchdown pass to Dante Lavelli, converted by Lou Groza, with 4:13 remaining in regulation time, gave the Browns their victory over the Yankees before 40,469 fans on a snowy day to end the first season of the All-America Football Conference. Marion Motley rushed 1 yard for the other Cleveland touchdown in the 2nd quarter. Harvey Johnson's 11-yard field goal gave New York a 3-0 lead in the 1st quarter. Spec Sanders rushed 2 yards for a touchdown in the 3rd quarter to give the Yankees a 9-7 lead, but Mr. Johnson missed the convert--his only such miss of the season.

70 years ago
1951

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Sweet Violets--Dinah Shore; Jane Turzy

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): It's No Sin--Eddy Howard and his Orchestra (Best Seller--2nd week at #1; Disc Jockey--6th week at #1); Cold, Cold Heart--Tony Bennett (Jukebox--3rd week at #1);

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 (It's No) Sin--The Four Aces (7th week at #1)
--Eddy Howard
2 Down Yonder--Del Wood
--Joe "Fingers" Carr
--Champ Butler
3 Cold, Cold Heart--Tony Bennett
4 Undecided--The Ames Brothers and Les Brown and his Band of Renown
5 Because of You--Tony Bennett
--Les Baxter and his Orchestra
6 Jealousy (Jalousie)--Frankie Laine
7 Slow Poke--Pee Wee King and his Golden West Cowboys
8 Charmaine--Mantovani and his Orchestra
9 Shrimp Boats--Jo Stafford
10 Cry--Johnnie Ray and the Four Lads

Singles entering the chart were Any Time by Eddie Fisher (#20) and If Wishes were Kisses by Perry Como (#32).

Died on this date
Henry G. Bennett, 65. U.S. academic. Dr. Bennett was president of Southeastern Oklahoma State University (1919-1928) and Oklahoma A&M College (1928-1951). While still holding the latter office, he was appointed by U.S. President Harry Truman in November 1950 as the first director of the Point Four Program, a technical assistance program for backward nations. While on a visit to Iran to discuss U.S. technical aid with Iranian officials, Dr. Bennett was killed, eight days after his 65th birthday, along with his wife and 20 members of his staff, in a plane crash near Tehran.

War
U.S. negotiators at Panmunjom told the Communists that 37,000 South Koreans found among Communist prisoners of war would not be returned to North Korea in a prisoner exchange.

Politics and government
The Greek Parliament approved a constitutional amendment permitting suspension of the rights of assembly and association by the King with parliamentary approval.

Oil
Following British rejection of the 10-day limit for ordering Iranian oil, Iran concluded an oil supply agreement with Czechoslovakia.

Labour
U.S. President Truman referred the steel industry dispute to the Wage Stabilization Board, urging the United Steel Workers of America not to disrupt production.

60 years ago
1961

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Tower of Strength--Frankie Vaughan (4th week at #1)

On television tonight
The Twilight Zone, on CBS
Tonight's episode: Five Characters in Search of an Exit, starring William Windom, Murray Matheson, Susan Harrison, Kelton Garwood, and Clark Allen

Died on this date
Dick Elliott, 75. U.S. actor. Mr. Elliott was a character actor who appeared in more than 240 films, often as blustery characters, in a career spanning almost 30 years. He played Mayor Pike in 11 episodes of the first season of The Andy Griffith Show (1960-1961). Mr. Elliott died of cardiovacular disease on December 22, 1961.

50 years ago
1971

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Ernie (The Fastest Milkman in the West)--Benny Hill (4th week at #1)

At the movies
Eagle in a Cage, directed by Fielder Cook, and starring Kenneth Haigh, John Gielgud, Ralph Richardson, and Billie Whitelaw, opened in theatres in Los Angeles.



Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Elena!

30 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Black or White--Michael Jackson (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Black or White--Michael Jackson (4th week at #1)

Austria's Top 10 (Ö3)
1 Let's Talk About Sex!--Salt-N-Pepa (6th week at #1)
2 Black or White--Michael Jackson
3 Do the Limbo Dance--David Hasselhoff
4 Any Dream Will Do--Jason Donovan
5 Always Look on the Bright Side of Life--Monty Python
6 (Everything I Do) I Do it for You--Bryan Adams
7 Jambo--Erste Allgemeine Verunsicherung
8 Love to Hate You--Erasure
9 Something Got Me Started--Simply Red
10 I'm Too Sexy--Right Said Fred

Singles entering the chart were Bitterblue by Bonnie Tyler (#22); Way of the World by Tina Turner (#27); and You by Ten Sharp (#29).

World events
Armed opposition groups launched a military coup against Georgian President Zviad Gamsakhurdia.

25 years ago
1996

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Thug Devotion--Mo Thugs

#1 single in Austria (Ö3): Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)--Backstreet Boys (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Verpiss' dich--Tic Tac Toe (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Scotland (OCC): 2 Become 1--Spice Girls

Disasters
Airborne Express Flight 827, a functional evaluation flight of an Airborne Express Douglas DC-8-63F that had undergone a major modification, en route from Greensboro, North Carolina, over New River Valley Airport in Pulaski County, Virginia, then to Beckley, West Virginia, followed by other way points in Kentucky and Virginia, and then back to Greensboro, stalled and crashed near Narrows, Virginia, killing all 6 people--3 crew and 3 passengers--aboard.

Hockey
NHL
Los Angeles (12-19-4) 4 @ St. Louis (16-19-1) 7

Brett Hull became the 24th player in National Hockey League history to score 500 career goals when he notched a hat trick for the Blues in their victory over the Kings at Kiel Center. He joined his father Bobby as the only father-son combination to score 500 goals apiece.



20 years ago
2001

Politics and government
Burhanuddin Rabbani, political leader of the Northern Alliance, handed over power in Islamic State of Afghanistan to the interim government headed by President Hamid Karzai.

Terrorism
American Airlines Flight 63, a Boeing 767-300ER en route from Paris to Miami with 197 passengers and crew aboard, made an emergency landing in Boston after passengers subdued passenger Richard Reid, who was attempting to ignite the soles of his shoes, which were filled with explosives.

10 years ago
2011

Economics and finance
The Supreme Court of Canada unanimously ruled against the federal government's attempt to establish a national securities regulator, holding that the federal government couldn't usurp the jurisdiction of provinces in the day-to-day aspect of professional licensing and policing.

December 19, 2021

1,620 years ago
401

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

280 years ago
1741

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

225 years ago
1796

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

175 years ago
1846

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

170 years ago
1851

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

130 years ago
1891

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

Football
CRU
The Canadian Rugby Union was founded.

120 years ago
1901

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

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

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

110 years ago
1911

Skiing
The Edmonton Ski Club was founded.

80 years ago
1941

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

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

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

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

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

75 years ago
1946

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

70 years ago
1951

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

60 years ago
1961

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

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

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

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

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



50 years ago
1971

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

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



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

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

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

40 years ago
1981

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

30 years ago
1991

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

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

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

25 years ago
1996

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

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

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

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

20 years ago
2001

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

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

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

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

December 7, 2021

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Angelina Pratt and Elena!

1,500 years ago
521

Born on this date
Columba. Irish-born cleric. Columba was a Roman Catholic missionary who founded several monasteries in Scotland, most notably the abbey on the island of Iona. He died on June 9, 597 at the age of 75. Columba is a Roman Catholic saint and one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland.

225 years ago
1796

Politics and government
The United States presidential election concluded with Federalist Party candidate John Adams receiving 71 electoral votes to 68 for Democratic-Republican Party candidate Thomas Jefferson. Under the rules then in place, Mr. Adams was elected President, and Mr. Jefferson was elected Vice President.

U.S. President George Washington delivered his eighth and last annual State of the Union address to Congress. Subjects included relations with Britain and Spain.

180 years ago
1841

Politics and government
U.S. President John Tyler delivered his first annual State of the Union message to Congress. Subjects included foreign relations and the economy.

130 years ago
1891

Died on this date
Arthur Blyth, 68. U.K.-born Australian politician. Sir Arthur grew up in Birmingham and moved to South Australia with his parents at the age of 16. He held various cabinet posts in South Australia, and served three terms as Premier of South Australia (1864-1865, 1871-1872, 1873-1875). Sir Arthur was appointed as South Australia's agent-general in London in 1877, and represented S.A. at the 1887 colonial conference. He died in Bournemouth, England.

125 years ago
1896

Politics and government
U.S. President Grover Cleveland delivered the fourth annual State of the Union message of his second term to Congress. Subjects included foreign relations, the economy, and defense.

110 years ago
1911

Politics and government
U.S. President William Howard Taft delivered the second part of his four-part annual State of the Union message to Congress. Part II dealt with foreign relations.

Hockey
PCHA
Brothers Lester and Frank Patrick founded the Pacific Coast Hockey Association; the original teams were the New Westminster Royals, Victoria Senators, and Vancouver Millionaires.

100 years ago
1921

Born on this date
Swami Maharaj. Indian religious leader. Pramukh Swami Maharaj, born Shantilal Patel, was initiated as a Hindu swami in 1940, and in 1950 was appointed Pramukh (president) of Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a major branch of the Hindu denomination Swaminarayan Sampradaya. He built more than 1,100 Hindu temples, and oversaw the growth of BAPS into an international movement. Pramukh Swami Maharaj died on August 13, 2016 at the age of 94.

80 years ago
1941

On the radio
Jergens Journal, with Walter Winchell, on NBC

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, on NBC
Tonight's episode: Mrs. Warren's Key

On television today
Regularly scheduled programming in New York was interrupted by news of the Japanese attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

War
The United Kingdom and Canada, New Zealand, and India went to war against Finland, Hungary, and Romania at 12:01 A.M. British time. The Royal Canadian Navy Flower Class corvette HMCS Windflower was rammed by the Dutch freighter Zypenberg in dense fog off the Grand Banks, while escorting convoy SC.58; Windflower sank, and 23 of her ship's company were lost. Moscow radio claimed that Soviet troops had broken though German lines at two points on the Moscow front, annihilating two divisions and recapturing a village near Kalinin. Japanese planes bombed the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and declared war on the United States three hours later, bringing the United States into World War II (see also here). U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered the entire country to be on a war footing, and in the evening conferred with his cabinet and congressional leaders on his war message; he also talked by transatlantic telephone with U.K. Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Censorship was imposed on all messages leaving the United States by radio and cable. U.S. Senator Gerald Nye (Republican--North Dakota) said that the Japanese attack was "just what Britain planned for us," and that the United States had been "doing its utmost to provoke a quarrel with Japan." Canada, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Guatemala declared war on Japan.



Labour
U.S. President Roosevelt's Coal Arbitration Board ruled that all coal mine workers must join the Congress of Industrial Organizations United Mine Workers of America as a condition of employment, thus reversing a decision of the National Defense Mediation Board. The United Brotherhood of Welders, Cutters and Helpers ordered strikers to return to work at an ordnance plant in Morgantown, West Virginia because of the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor. The New Jersey CIO pledged support for President Roosevelt and denounced United Mine Workers of America President John L. Lewis for his membership in the America First Committee.

Football
NFL
Chicago Bears (10-1) 34 @ Chicago Cardinals (3-7-1) 24
Brooklyn (7-4) 21 @ New York (8-3) 7
Philadelphia (2-8-1) 14 @ Washington (6-5) 20

75 years ago
1946

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Rumors are Flying--Frankie Carle and his Orchestra with Marjorie Hughes (Best Seller--8th week at #1; Juke Box--7th week at #1; Airplay--7th week at #1; Honor Roll of Hits--6th week at #1)

On the radio
The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Tom Conway and Nigel Bruce, on ABC
Tonight's episode: The Coptic Compass

This is Hollywood, hosted by Hedda Hopper, on CBS
Tonight's episode: The Stranger, starring Edward G. Robinson, Ruth Hussey, Roland Morris, and Gerald Mohr

Died on this date
Laurette Taylor, 63. U.S. actress. Miss Taylor, born Loretta Cooney, was best known for starring in the play (1912) and movie (1922) Peg o' My Heart, written for her by her husband, playwright J. Hartley Manners. Heavy drinking contributed to a decline in Miss Taylor's career in the late 1920s, but she made a successful comeback by playing Amanda Wingfield in the original Broadway production of The Glass Menagerie (1945), winning the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Actress. Miss Taylor died of a coronary thrombosis.

Diplomacy
The United States told the United Nations Political and Security Committee that it would not observe a UN decision to break off diplomatic relations with Spain.

The British government postponed the reopening of the London Palestine Conference until January 1947 to allow delegates from the World Zionist Congress to attend after their forthcoming meeting.

Labour
Congress of Industrial Organizations United Mine Workers of America President John L. Lewis ended the 17-day national coal strike, claiming that the U.S. Supreme Court must be allowed to judge the union-government dispute "free from public pressure induced by the hysteria and frenzy of an economic crisis."

Disasters
A fire at the Winecoff Hotel in Atlanta killed 119 people; it was the deadliest hotel fire in U.S. history.

Football
NCAA
The Football Writers Association of America named Notre Dame tackle George Connor as the winner of the Outland Trophy for the outstanding lineman in college football in the United States for 1946.

70 years ago
1951

On television tonight
Tales of Tomorrow, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Sneak Attack, starring Zachary Scott, Barbara Joyce, and Theo Goetz



CBS presented the first surgical operation televised in colour, on a coast-to-coast closed circuit.

World events
Israeli authorities seized a cargo of ammunition bound for Egypt from a French ship in Haifa.

Diplomacy
The United Nations General Assembly voted 54-5 in favour of asking the Security Council to approve UN membership for Italy.

West German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, ending a visit to London, criticized the United Kingdom's "lack of interest" in European unification, and urged the British to establish liaison offices with newly-formed European institutions.

60 years ago
1961

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (Lever Hit Parade): Big Bad John--Jimmy Dean (2nd week at #1)

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

On television tonight
The Untouchables, starring Robert Stack, on ABC
Tonight's episode: Man Killer

Economics and finance
The Bank of Montreal opened a branch in Tokyo, becoming the first Canadian bank in Japan.

50 years ago
1971

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Kvällstoppen): Mamy Blue--Pop-Tops (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland (Swiss Hitparade): Mamy Blue--Pop-Tops (9th week at #1)

War
Indian and Bangladeshi forces defeated Pakistani forces in the Battle of Sylhet in Bangladesh.

Politics and government
Pakistani President Yahya Khan announced the formation of a coalition government with Nurul Amin as Prime Minister and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto as Deputy Prime Minister.

40 years ago
1981

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Physical--Olivia Newton-John (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Akujo--Miyuki Nakajima (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Ma Quale Idea--Pino D'Angio (11th week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Polonäse Blankenese--Gottlieb Wendehals (a.k.a. Werner Böhm)

30 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Australian Music Report): Black or White--Michael Jackson (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Black or White--Michael Jackson (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Black or White--Michael Jackson (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): Black or White--Michael Jackson (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Let's Talk About Sex--Salt-N-Pepa (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Qui a le droit...--Patrick Bruel

#1 single in the U.K. (CIN): Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me--George Michael/Elton John

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Kon Ik Maar Even Bij Je Zijn--Gordon (2nd week at #1)
2 Roodkapje--Pater Moeskroen
3 Let's Talk About Sex!--Salt-N-Pepa
4 Black or White--Michael Jackson
5 I Love Your Smile--Shanice
6 Over and Over Again--Robby Valentine
7 Change--Lisa Stansfield
8 James Brown is Still Alive!!--Holy Noise featuring the Global Insert Project
9 The Fly--U2
10 Everybody's Free (To Feel Good)--Rozalla

Singles entering the chart were Mysterious Ways by U2 (#24); Diamonds & Pearls by Prince & the New Power Generation (#25); Ik Vraag Aan Sinterklaas Een Heel Gelukkig Kerstfeest by Henk Temming (#31); Skat Strut by MC Skat Kat and the Stray Mob (#35); and Elke Vrouw by Hanny (#36).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Black or White--Michael Jackson
2 When a Man Loves a Woman--Michael Bolton
3 Set Adrift on Memory Bliss--P.M. Dawn
4 It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday--Boyz II Men
5 All 4 Love--Color Me Badd
6 Blowing Kisses in the Wind--Paula Abdul
7 Cream--Prince and the New Power Generation
8 Can't Let Go--Mariah Carey
9 That's What Love is For--Amy Grant
10 O.P.P.--Naughty by Nature

Singles entering the chart were Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana (#40); The Unforgiven by Metallica (#65); Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me by George Michael/Elton John (#72); Addams Groove by MC Hammer (#84); The Comfort Zone by Vanessa Williams (#86); Diamonds & Pearls by Prince & the New Power Generation (#88); Hearts Don't Think (They Feel) by Natural Selection (#92); and In Paradise by Laissez Faire (#97). Addams Groove was the theme from the movie The Addams Family (1991).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 When a Man Loves a Woman--Michael Bolton (2nd week at #1)
2 That's What Love is For--Amy Grant
3 It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday--Boyz II Men
4 Blowing Kisses in the Wind--Paula Abdul
5 Set Adrift on Memory Bliss--P.M. Dawn
6 Set the Night to Music--Roberta Flack with Maxi Priest
7 Keep Coming Back--Richard Marx
8 Street of Dreams--Nia Peeples
9 I Wonder Why--Curtis Stigers
10 No Son of Mine--Genesis

Singles entering the chart were Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me by George Michael/Elton John (#65); Diamonds & Pearls by Prince & the New Power Generation (#77); Somewhere, Somebody by Aaron Neville (#86); Too Blind to See It by Kym Sims (#89); and I Love Your Smile by Shanice (#90).

Canada’s Top 10 (RPM)
1 Life is a Highway--Tom Cochrane (2nd week at #1)
2 Cream--Prince and the New Power Generation
3 Can't Stop this Thing We Started--Bryan Adams
4 What About Now--Robbie Robertson
5 No Son of Mine--Genesis
6 Broken Arrow--Rod Stewart
7 When a Man Loves a Woman--Michael Bolton
8 That's What Love is For--Amy Grant
9 Get a Leg Up--John Mellencamp
10 Keep Coming Back--Richard Marx

Singles entering the chart were All 4 Love by Color Me Badd (#50); Rescued (By the Arms of Love) by Glass Tiger (#80); Convictions of the Heart by Kenny Loggins (#81); One Little Word by the Boomers (#88); The Sky is Crying by Stevie Ray Vaughan (#89); Love Don't Last Forever by Chrissey Steele (#90); Ghosts by Kerri Anderson (#91); Wildside by Marky Mark & the Funky Bunch (#93); and There Will Never Be Another Tonight by Bryan Adams (#96).

Skiing
A.J. Kitt became the first American to win a men's downhill event since the 1984 Winter Olympics when he won the first race of the 1991-92 season at Val D'Isere, France.

Football
NCAA
Navy 24 Army 3 @ Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia

25 years ago
1996

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (ARIA): Wannabe--Spice Girls (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): One & One--Robert Miles featuring Maria Nayler (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (VRT): It's All Coming Back to Me Now--Céline Dion (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Wallonia (Ultratop 40): Aïcha--Khaled (6th week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Freed from Desire--Gala (7th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Gabbertje--Hakkûhbar

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): I Feel You--Peter Andre

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Un-Break My Heart--Toni Braxton
2 No Diggity--BLACKstreet (featuring Dr. Dre)
3 Nobody--Keith Sweat featuring Athena Cage
4 Don't Let Go (Love)--En Vogue
5 It's All Coming Back to Me Now--Celine Dion
6 Mouth--Merril Bainbridge
7 Pony--Ginuwine
8 I Finally Found Someone--Barbra Streisand/Bryan Adams
9 I'm Still in Love with You--New Edition
10 Where Do You Go--No Mercy

Singles entering the chart were I'm Not Giving You Up by Gloria Estefan (#79); I Like It by the Blackout Allstars (83); and Leavin' by the Tony Rich Project (#95).

Football
NCAA
Army 28 Navy 24 @ Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia

20 years ago
2001

War
Afghanistan's Taliban regime surrendered its stronghold in Kandahar.

Economics and finance
Statistics Canada reported an unemployment increase to 7.5%, the highest level since mid-1999.

10 years ago
2011

Died on this date
Harry Morgan, 96. U.S. actor and director. Mr. Morgan, born Harry Bratsberg, had a long career as a character actor in movies, radio, and television, but was best known for portraying Officer Bill Gannon in the television series Dragnet (1967-1970) and Colonel Sherman Potter in the television series M*A*S*H (1975-1983) and AfterMASH (1983-1984).

Bob Burnett, 71. U.S. musician. Mr. Burnett was an original member of the folk group the Highwaymen, who began performing together at Wesleyan University in Ohio in 1958, and continued until 1964. Their version of Michael reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart in 1961, and reached #1 in several other countries, while Cotton Fields reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 early in 1962. Mr. Burnett had a long career in law and banking.

Crime
District Attorney of Philadelphia R. Seth Williams announced that prosecutors, with the support of the family of slain police officer Daniel Faulkner, would no longer seek the death penalty for Mumia Abu-Jamal and would accept a sentence of life imprisonment without parole. On December 9, 1981, almost 30 years earlier to the day, Constable Faulkner conducted a traffic stop of Mr. Abu-Jamal's younger brother William Cook, when the confrontation turned physical. Mr. Abu-Jamal, whose taxi was parked across the street, shot Constable Faulkner in the back and then in the head; Constable Faulkner shot his assailant in the stomach before being fatally shot. Mr. Abu-Jamal was convicted in 1982 and sentenced to death, but years of appeals resulted in the sentence being commuted.

Scandal
Ousted Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich (Democrat) was sentenced to 14 years in prison for corruption.