December 21, 2021

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Maria de los Milagros!

660 years ago
1361

War
The Battle of Linuesa was fought in the context of the Spanish Reconquista between the forces of the Emirate of Granada and the combined army of the Kingdom of Castile and of Jaén, resulting in a Castilian victory.

170 years ago
1851

Born on this date
Thomas Chipman McRae. U.S. politician. Mr. McRae, a Democrat, was a member of the Arkansas House of Representatives (1877-1879), and represented Arkansas' 3rd District in the U.S. House of Representatives (1885-1903). He was Governor of Arkansas (1921-1925), and was briefly special Chief Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court (1925). Mr. McRae practiced law when he wasn't engaging in political activities, and died on June 2, 1929 at the age of 77.

160 years ago
1861

Defense
Public Resolution 82, containing a provision for a U.S. Navy Medal of Valor, was signed into law by U.S. President Abraham Lincoln.

130 years ago
1891

Born on this date
John W. McCormack. U.S. politician. Mr. McCormack, a Democrat, represented Massachusetts in the United States House of Representatives from 1928-1971. He was majority leader from 1939-1947, 1951-1953, and 1955-1961, minority leader from 1947-1949 and 1953-1955, and Speaker of the House from 1962-1971. Mr. McCormack opposed Communism and supported farm bills. He died on November 22, 1980 at the age of 88.

Politics and government
Charles Boucher de Boucherville, a Conservative, was sworn in as Premier of Québec for the second time, five days after Honoré Mercie had been removed from office by Lieutenant Governor Auguste-Réal Angers on corruption charges. Mr. Boucherville had previously been Premier from 1874-1878.

Basketball
The first game of basketball was played at International Young Men's Christian Association Training School (today known as Springfield College) in Springfield, Massachusetts. A soccer ball was used, and peach baskets (with the bottoms intact) were nailed onto a 10-foot elevated track.

125 years ago
1896

Born on this date
Leroy Robertson. U.S. composer. Dr. Robertson taught at Brigham Young University (1925-1948) and the University of Utah (1948-1962). He wrote piano, organ, and string works, as well as Mormon hymns, and was best known for Oratorio from the Book of Mormon (1953). Mr. Robertson died on July 25, 1971 at the age of 74.

110 years ago
1911

Born on this date
Josh Gibson. U.S. baseball player. Mr. Gibson was a catcher in the Negro Leagues with the Homestead Grays (1930-1931, 1937-1939, 1942-1946) and Pittsburgh Crawfords (1932-1936), as well as the Dragones de Ciudad Trujillo (1937) in the Dominican League, and Azules de Veracruz (1940-1941) in the Mexican League. He has been credited with approximately 800 career home runs, although Negro League statistics are difficult to quantify. Whatever his official statistics, Mr. Gibson was one of the best power hitters--if not the best--in baseball history. He was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 1943, and died of a stroke on January 20, 1947, 31 days after his 35th birthday. Baseball lore has it that Mr. Gibson died of a broken heart because he was passed over in favour of Jackie Robinson when the major leagues finally decided to abandon the prohibition on signing Negro players. Mr. Gibson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972; he and Buck Leonard were the second and third Negro League players so honoured, one year after the induction of pitcher Satchel Paige.

Politics and government
U.S. President William Howard Taft delivered the final part of his four-part annual State of the Union message to Congress. Part IV dealt with the financial condition of the treasury, needed banking and currency reform, and departmental questions.

100 years ago
1921

Born on this date
William Reid. U.K. military aviator. Flight Lieutenant Reid, a native of Scotland, was a flying instructor and bomber pilot in World War II who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on the night of November 3, 1943, when he completed a bombing run to Düsseldorf and returned to Syerston, Nottinghamshire despite heavy loss of blood from serious wounds, the death of his navigator, and serious wounds to his wireless engineer from attacks by Luftwaffe planes. After recovering from his wounds, Fl. Lt. Reid returned to action, but was taken prisoner in 1944 after bailing out over France when his plane was accidentally hit by a bomb dropped from above. He was demobilized in 1946, and worked as an agricultural adviser until his retirement in 1981. Fl. Lt. Reid died on November 28, 2001, 23 days before his 80th birthday.

90 years ago
1931

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Juliette Richard!

80 years ago
1941

On the radio
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, on NBC
Tonight's episode: Donald's Death

Died on this date
David Howard, 45. U.S. film director. Mr. Howard directed 46 movies, mainly low-budget Westerns, from 1930 until his death.

Movies
The U.S. National Board of Review of Motion Pictures chose Citizen Kane as the best Hollywood picture of 1941.

War
Thai Prime Minister Luang Bipul Songgram and Japanese Ambassador Teiji Tsubogami signed a 10-year military alliance pledging each country not to make a separate peace. The treaty was signed in the presence of the Emerald Buddha in Wat Phra Kaew, Thailand. The U.S. War Department reported that U.S. planes had bombed the Philippine islands of Luzon, Cebu, and Mindanao in the past 24 hours. U.S. Navy Secretary Frank Knox claimed that U.S. Navy ships "have to the present time probably sunk or damaged at least 14 enemy submarines" in the Atlantic Ocean.

Education
The American Council of Education recommended that the high school and college education of talented students be sped up to permit them to graduate from college at age 20 in order to meet the new military draft requirements.

Health
Reports from Stockholm stated that an epidemic of typhus had broken out in Lithuania and other German-occupied territory in eastern Europe.

Football
NFL
Championship @ Wrigley Field, Chicago
New York Giants 9 @ Chicago Bears 37

The game was played just two weeks after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and only 13,341 fans showed up to see the Bears defeat the Giants to win their second straight NFL title. Field goals of 14, 39, and 37 yards by Chicago's Bob Snyder offset an unconverted New York touchdown on a 31-yard pass from Tuffy Leemans to George Franck, and the Bears led 9-6 at halftime. The Giants tied the game in the 3rd quarter on a 16-yard field goal by Ward Cuff, but the Bears put the game away with touchdown rushes of 2 and 7 yards by Norm Standlee--the first converted by Mr. Snyder, the second by Joe Maniaci--to lead 23-9 after 3 quarters. In the 4th quarter, George McAfee rushed 5 yards for a touchdown, and Lee Artoe's convert made the score 30-9. The final touchdown came on a 42-yard fumble return by Ken Kavanaugh. Ray "Scooter" McLean drop-kicked the convert for the game's final point. Mr. McLean's convert was the last successful drop kick in the NFL until a point after touchdown by Doug Flutie of the New England Patriots in January 2006.



75 years ago
1946

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): Ole Buttermilk Sky--Kay Kyser and his Orchestra (vocal chorus by Michael Douglas and the Campus Kids) (Best Seller--2nd week at #1); Rumors are Flying--Frankie Carle and his Orchestra with Marjorie Hughes (Airplay--9th week at #1); The Old Lamp-Lighter by Swing and Sway with Sammy Kaye (Vocal refrain by Billy Williams and Choir) (Juke Box--1st week at #1; Honor Roll of Hits--1st week at #1)

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

Died on this date
Eugene Talmadge, 62. U.S. politician. Mr. Talmadge, a Democrat, was Governor of Georgia from 1933-1937 and 1941-1943; he was elected to a fourth term in November 1946, but died of hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver, caused by heavy drinking, before the January 1947 inauguration. Mr. Talmadge was known for his opposition to U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal economic policies, and for civil rights for Negroes; his third term included the dismissal of University of Georgia Dean Walter Cocking and others at the university who supported bringing white and Negro students together in the classroom. Mr. Talmadge was succeeded after his death by his son Herman, who served for just two months before yielding to a court ruling in favour of Melvin Thompson, who had been elected Lieutenant Governor in November 1946.

Diplomacy
In accordance with the December 9 United Nations decision on Spain, the United Kingdom recalled her Amabassador to Spain, Sir Victor Mallet.

The Arab Higher Executive Committee announced that Palestinian Arabs would refuse to pay taxes if the money was used to support Jewish immigration.

Politics and government
The Bavarian State Assembly elected Christian Social Unionist Hans Ehard as Minister President of Bavaria.

Law
The U.S. War Department Advisory Committee on Military Justice issued a report detailing seven basic defects in the Army court martial system, including domination of courts by commanders, and excessive sentences. Among the changes recommended was inclusion of enlisted men on courts martial.

Economics and finance
The government of Quebec reorganized the province's Dairy Industry Commission, following the resignation of its president, Jules Côté. The commission, created in 1934, was used to set the price of milk in the cities.

Labour
Mexican President Miguel Aleman supported the state oil agency in dismissing 50 leaders of the national oil workers' union for a December 19 strike.

Disasters
An 8.1 Mw earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Nankaidō, Japan killed over 1,300 people and destroyed over 38,000 homes.

70 years ago
1951

Died on this date
Elma Wischmeier, 52. U.S. accident victim. Miss Wischmeier was struck in Cleveland by a tractor-trailer, becoming the U.S.A.'s one millionth automobile fatality.

War
British authorities imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the Suez Canal trouble centre of Ismalia.

Defense
The U.S.A., U.K., France, Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, New Zealand, China, Brazil, and South Africa repudiated World War II peace treaty limitations on the size and type of Italian armed forces.

Diplomacy
The United Nations General Assembly's Political and Security Committee rejected a Soviet-sponsored resolution asking the United States to revoke its Mutual Security Act for allegedly providing aid to anti-Communist movements in Eastern Europe.

Politics and government
U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy (Republican--Wisconsin) demanded that all federal employees in "sensitive" positions, as well as applicants for federal employment, be requied to take lie detector tests to determine their loyalty.

Education
The New York State Board of Regents voted to establish a three-man commission to check for subversive material in public school textbooks.

Economics and finance
Michigan appealed for federal aid to help ease unemployment, particularly in the Detroit area.

Disasters
119 miners were killed in an explosion in the New Orient No. 2 mine in West Frankfort, Illinois, one of the world's largest coal mines.

Football
NFL
A United Press panel selected Cleveland Browns' quarterback Otto Graham as the National Football League's best player for 1951. He completed 147 of 265 passes for 2,205 yards with 17 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in leading the Browns to an 11-1 record and their second straight American Conference title.

60 years ago
1961

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (Lever Hit Parade): Moon River--Jerry Butler

#1 single in the U.K. (Record Retailer): Tower of Strength--Frankie Vaughan (3rd week at #1)

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

50 years ago
1971

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Kvällstoppen): Mamy Blue--Pop-Tops (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland (Swiss Hitparade): Akropolis adieu--Mireille Mathieu

Died on this date
Charlie Fuqua, 61. U.S. singer. Mr. Fuqua was a founding member of the singing group the Ink Spots in 1934. In 1952, he left the group and formed the first of several spinoff groups performing and recording under the Ink Spots name. As a member of the original group, he was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999.

Diplomacy
The United Nations Security Council chose Kurt Waldheim to succeed U Thant as UN Secretary-General.

Transportation
New Zealand Railways (NZR) launched the twice-daily Kingston Flyer, a new tourist-oriented steam passenger venture in the South Island.

40 years ago
1981

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): Down Under--Men at Work

#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Sailor Fuku to Kikanjū--Hiroko Yakushimaru

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Ma Quale Idea--Pino D'Angio (13th week at #1)

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Polonäse Blankenese--Gottlieb Wendehals (a.k.a. Werner Böhm) (3rd week at #1)

30 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Australian Music Report): Black or White--Michael Jackson (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Black or White--Michael Jackson (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Black or White--Michael Jackson (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): Black or White--Michael Jackson (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Black or White--Michael Jackson (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Qui a le droit...--Patrick Bruel (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (CIN): Bohemian Rhapsody/These Are the Days of Our Lives--Queen

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Kon Ik Maar Even Bij Je Zijn--Gordon (4th week at #1)
2 I Love Your Smile--Shanice
3 Black or White--Michael Jackson
4 Smells Like Teen Spirit--Nirvana
5 Roodkapje--Pater Moeskroen
6 Go--Moby
7 The Show Must Go On--Queen
8 Mysterious Ways--U2
9 Over and Over Again--Robby Valentine
10 Let's Talk About Sex!--Salt-N-Pepa

Singles entering the chart were When a Man Loves a Woman by Michael Bolton (#28); Keepin' the Faith by De La Soul (#30); The Unforgiven by Metallica (#34); and 2 Legit 2 Quit by Hammer (#39).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Black or White--Michael Jackson (3rd week at #1)
2 It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday--Boyz II Men
3 All 4 Love--Color Me Badd
4 Set Adrift on Memory Bliss--P.M. Dawn
5 When a Man Loves a Woman--Michael Bolton
6 Can't Let Go--Mariah Carey
7 Blowing Kisses in the Wind--Paula Abdul
8 Finally--CeCe Peniston
9 2 Legit 2 Quit--MC Hammer
10 Wildside--Marky Mark & the Funky Bunch

Singles entering the chart were I'm Too Sexy by Right Said Fred (#67); To Be with You by Mr. Big (#82); I'll Get By by Eddie Money (#85); Every Road Leads Back to You by Bette Midler (#86); There Will Never be Another Tonight by Bryan Adams (#87); Give it Away by Red Hot Chili Peppers (#93); and Live and Let Die by Guns N' Roses (#95).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday--Boyz II Men (2nd week at #1)
2 Black or White--Michael Jackson
3 All 4 Love--Color Me Badd
4 Can't Let Go--Mariah Carey
5 Set Adrift on Memory Bliss--P.M. Dawn
6 Keep Coming Back--Richard Marx
7 No Son of Mine--Genesis
8 Blowing Kisses in the Wind--Paula Abdul
9 Street of Dreams--Nia Peeples
10 Broken Arrow--Rod Stewart

Singles entering the chart were There Will Never be Another Tonight by Bryan Adams (#64); Live and Let Die by Guns N' Roses (#77); I'm Too Sexy by Right Said Fred (#78); Keep it Comin' by Keith Sweat (#79); I Wanna Be Your Girl by Icy Blu (#86); She Ain't Pretty by the Northern Pikes (#87); Stars by Simply Red (#88); and Move Any Mountain (Progen 91) by Shamen (#89).

Canada’s Top 10 (RPM)
1 No Son of Mine--Genesis (2nd week at #1)
2 Black or White--Michael Jackson
3 Broken Arrow--Rod Stewart
4 When a Man Loves a Woman--Michael Bolton
5 Keep Coming Back--Richard Marx
6 Life is a Highway--Tom Cochrane
7 Blowing Kisses in the Wind--Paula Abdul
8 That's What Love is For--Amy Grant
9 Mysterious Ways--U2
10 Set Adrift on Memory Bliss--P.M. Dawn

Singles entering the chart were Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me by George Michael/Elton John (#49); Daniel by Wilson Phillips (#87); Diamonds & Pearls by the Police (#89); Dreams to Dream by Linda Ronstadt (#90); Celebrate by Infidels (#91); and Caribbean Blue by Enya (#94). Dreams to Dream was from the movie An American Tail: Fievel Goes West (1991).

World events
The Commonwealth of Independent States was formed, consisting of Russia; Belarus; Ukraine; Armenia; Azerbaijan; Kazakhstan; Kyrgystan; Moldova; Tajikistan; Turkmenistan; and Uzbekistan. The parliament of Azerbaijan didn't ratify the treaty creating the CIS until 1993.

25 years ago
1996

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (ARIA): Wannabe--Spice Girls (8th week at #1)

#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): One & One--Robert Miles featuring Maria Nayler (5th week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (VRT): One & One--Robert Miles featuring Maria Nayler (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Wallonia (Ultratop 40): Aïcha--Khaled (8th week at #1)

#1 single in France (SNEP): Freed from Desire--Gala (9th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (De Nederlandse Top 40): Gabbertje--Hakkûhbar (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): A Different Beat--Boyzone

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

Singles entering the chart were Fly Like an Eagle by Seal (#17); Space Jam by Quad City DJ's (#67); Desperately Wanting by Better than Ezra (#70); Macarena Christmas by Los Del Rio (#83); I Can Make it Better by Luther Vandross (#90); and Naked Eye by Luscious Jackson (#96). Fly Like an Eagle and Space Jam were from the movie Space Jam (1996).

Scandal
After two years of denials, U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich (Republican--Georgia) admitted violating House ethics rules.

20 years ago
2001

Politics and government
Ramon Puerta was installed as acting President of Argentina, the day after the resignation of Fernando de la Rua.

Diplomacy
India recalled its ambassador to Pakistan and cut off transportation ties to Pakistan, eight days after a five-man terrorist attack on India's Parliament House in New Delhi had left 12 people dead.

Transportation
The world's fastest roller coaster, the Dodonpa, with speeds up to 100 miles per hour, opened in Japan.

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 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 15, 2021

230 years ago
1791

Politics and government
The United States of America ratified the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, popularly known as the Bill of Rights. The ratification took effect when the Virginia General Assembly gave its approval.

160 years ago
1861

Born on this date
Charles Duryea. U.S. automobile executive. Mr. Duryea was the engineer of the first American gasoline-powered car that worked, which was given its first successful road test in Springfield, Massachusetts on September 20, 1893. He and his brother Frank founded the Duryea Motor Wagon Company in Springfield in 1896. The company ceased production in 1917. Charles Duryea died on September 28, 1938 at the age of 76.

P.E. Svinhufvud. Prime Minister of Finland, 1930-1931; President of Finland, 1931-1937. Mr. Svinhufvud was a leader of the movement for Finnish independence and was the country's first head of state, as Chairman of the Senate from 1917-1918 and Regent from May 18-December 12, 1918. He was a conservative known for his opposition to Communism. Mr. Svinhufvud died on February 29, 1944 at the age of 82.

130 years ago
1891

Born on this date
A.P. Carter. U.S. musician. Alvin Pleasant Delaney Carter was a country singer-songwriter and guitarist who, with his wife Sara, founded the Carter Family band in 1927. A.P. and Sara separated in 1939 and divorced in 1943, and Mr. Carter eventually left the music business and ran a general store in Virginia. He died on November 7, 1960 at the age of 68. Mr. Carter was inducted into the the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970, and was inducted as part of the Carter Family into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1970.

Basketball
James Naismith devised the rules of basketball in Springfield, Massachusetts, inspired by a childhood game called duck-on-a-rock. He had been asked by staff of the YMCA's Springfield Training College to devise a good indoor physical education activity to keep a group of incorrigible students busy during the winter months.

125 years ago
1896

Born on this date
Betty Smith. U.S. authoress. Mrs. Smith wrote four novels, but was best known for her first, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1943). She died of pneumonia on January 17, 1972 at the age of 75.

110 years ago
1911

Born on this date
Stan Kenton. U.S. musician. Mr. Kenton was a jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader who achieved commercial success in the 1940s and early '50s, with six singles reaching the top ten of the Billboard singles chart. Beginning in the late '40s, he became a pioneer in the field of progressive jazz, forming several different bands over the next three decades, performing and recording several genres of music. Mr. Kenton was a leader in jazz education; he founded the Stan Kenton Band Clinic at Indiana University in 1959, and was conducting over 100 clinics a year by 1975. Heavy drinking affected his later years; he died on August 25, 1979 at the age of 67.

Nicholas P. Dallis. U.S. psychiatrist and author. Dr. Dallis practiced psychiatry in Toledo, Ohio after World War II, and got the idea that he would like to write a comic strip about the history of medicine. He created and wrote the comic strips Rex Morgan, M.D. (under the pseudonym Dal Curtis); Judge Parker (under the pseudonym Paul Nichols); and Apartment 3-G. Dr. Dallis died on July 6, 1991 at the age of 79.

100 years ago
1921

Born on this date
Alan Freed. U.S. disc jockey. Mr. Freed was working at WJW in Cleveland in 1951 when he began playing rhythm and blues records on his program, The Moondog House. On March 21, 1952, Mr. Freed presented The Moondog Coronation Ball at Cleveland Arena, which has been credited with being the first rock and roll concert. Mr. Freed moved to New York, working at WINS and then WABC. He hosted his own television program and appeared as himself in several movies, all of which featured numerous performances by rock and roll artists. When the payola scandal broke in 1959--record companies paid disc jockeys to play their records--Mr. Freed was the most prominent of those who lost their jobs. He had difficulty holding a steady job after that, and years of heavy smoking and drinking caught up with him and hastened his death on January 20, 1965 at the age of 43, broke and all but forgotten. Mr. Freed was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a charter member in 1986.

Politics and government
Quebec's governing Liberal Party increased its majority in the Legislative Assembly by winning four provincial by-elections by acclamation. Joseph-Hugues Fortier, Louis-Philippe Mercier, Joseph-Pierre-Cyrénus Lemieux, and Minister Jacob Nicol were elected respectively in Beauce, Trois-Rivières, Wolfe, and Richmond.

80 years ago
1941

On the radio
We Hold These Truths, on CBS, NBC Red, NBC Blue, Mutual

We Hold These Truths, a celebration of the 150th anniversary of the U.S. Bill of Rights, was written and produced by Norman Corwin, and was the first program ever carried on all four major networks. An estimated 63 million people listened, the largest ever for a dramatic performance on radio.

War
The U.S.S.R. announced that Klin, northwest of Moscow, had been recaptured together with Yasnaya Polyana and Bogoroditsk, south of Tula. A communique from Singapore reported that British forces in northeastern Malaya were retreating slowly, inflicting heavy casualties on Japanese mechanized troops. U.S. Navy Secretary Frank Knox reported on the losses in the December 7 Japanese attack on the naval base at Pearl Harbor Hawaii. He stated that six warshipd had been lost and several others damaged, and that almost 3,000 men had been killed. Mr. Knox said that U.S. forces were "not on the alert against the surprise air attack" and added that "a formal investigation" would be initiated immediately.

Defense
The U.S. Congress completed action on the conference-approved $10,000,077,005 supplemental defense appropriation bill and sent it to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Mr. Roosevelt reported to Congress that Lend-Lease aid to the Allies during the past nine months had reached $1.202 billion.

Abominations
German troops murdered over 15,000 Jews at Drobytsky Yar, a ravine southeast of the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv.

Academia
Yale University President Charles Seymour announced that the university would operate on a year-round basis so that students could complete their studies in less than three years, instead of four.

Labour
The American Federation of Labor adopted a no-strike policy in all defense industries.

Football
NCAA
For the only time in its history, the Rose Bowl game was moved from Pasadena, California to Durham, North Carolina, with the date of January 1, 1942 remaining unchanged. The relocation took place at the request of the United States Army amid fears of a Japanese invasion of the west coast of the United States.

75 years ago
1946

War
Nationalist Chinese sources reported strong Communist attacks on the fortress city of Yulin in the northern part of the province of Shensi.

Kurdish nationalist leader Ghazi Mohammed surrendered to Iranian forces after the capture of Mehabad, capital of the province of Kurdistan.

Diplomacy
The United Nations General Assembly admitted Siam as its 55th member nation.

The executive committee of the World Zionist Congress suspended six members of the Zionist Revisionist Union of America for requesting United Nations discussion of the Palestine problem and appealing for funds to support "underground fighters."

Economics and finance
U.S. officials in Vienna completed a proposed four-year reconstruction plan for Austria.

Scandal
Telephone wiretaps showed that gambler Alvin Paris had tried to bribe New York Giants' fullback Merle Hapes to fix that day's National Football League championship game against the Chicago Bears. Mr. Hapes rejected the offer, but did mention the contact to his teammate, quarterback Frank Filchock. Mr. Hapes was suspended for the game by NFL Commissioner Bert Bell for not informing team officials, while Mr. Filchock was allowed to play. Both players were soon banned for life from the NFL, and continued their playing careers in Canada. Mr. Filchock's suspension was eventually lifted.

Football
NFL
Championship @ Polo Grounds, New York
Chicago Bears 24 New York Giants 14

Sid Luckman rushed 19 yards for a touchdown with 12:15 remaining in regulation time to break a 14-14 tie as the Bears defeated the Giants before 58,436 fans. The Bears had taken a 14-0 lead in the 1st quarter on a 21-yard touchdown pass from Mr. Luckman to Ken Kavanaugh and a 19-yard interception return for a touchdown by Dante Magnani, both converted by Frank Maznicki. Frank Filchock then threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to Frank Liebel with 1:26 remaining in the 1st quarter, and Ken Strong's convert reduced the deficit to 14-7. The score remained the same until Mr. Filchock completed a 5-yard TD pass to Steve Filipowicz in the 3rd quarter, converted by Mr. Strong. Mr. Maznicki converted Mr. Luckman's touchdown and closed the scoring with a 26-yard field goal with 5:16 remaining.



AAFC
Chicago (5-6-3) 17 @ Los Angeles (7-5-2) 17

70 years ago
1951

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): My Truly, Truly Fair--Guy Mitchell; Donald Peers (4th week at #1)

#1 single in the U.S.A. (Billboard): It's No Sin--Eddy Howard and his Orchestra (Best Seller--1st week at #1; Disc Jockey--5th week at #1); Cold, Cold Heart--Tony Bennett (Jukebox--2nd week at #1);

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

Singles entering the chart were Jingle Bells by Les Paul (#31); My Concerto, with versions by Ray Anthony and his Orchestra; and Tommy Edwards (#38); and Tell Me Why, with versions by the Four Aces; and Eddie Fisher (#39).

Politics and government
Americans for Democratic Action began a drive for repeal of the Smith Act, which prohibited the teaching or advocacy of forcible overhrow of the government.

Transportation
An International Air Transport Association conference in Nice agreed to introduce tourist-class transatlantic air service, costing $270 for a one-way ticket between London and New York.

Economics and finance
Switzerland abolished its fixed price of gold at $35 per ounce.

The Bolivian government charged that low tin prices paid by the United States were forcing the country toward an "imminent economic, political and social crisis."

Disasters
Philippine President Elpidio Quirino appealed for aid to 10,000 people made homeless by volcanic eruptions and typhoons which had struck the country in the past month.

60 years ago
1961

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Tower of Strength--Frankie Vaughan (3rd week at #1)

On television tonight
The Twilight Zone, on CBS
Tonight's episode: Once Upon a Time, starring Buster Keaton, Stanley Adams, and Jesse White

World events
A three-man Israeli court panel sentenced former Nazi official Adolf Eichmann to death by hanging, four days after he was convicted of all 15 charges against him. The charges were:

1/Causing the enslavement, deportation and murder of Jews;
2/Causing the deaths of millions of Jews;
3/Putting millions of Jews in ghettos, labour and concentration camps with the aim of destroying them (the Jews, that is);
4/Sending thousands of Gypsies to extermination camps;
5/Causing the inhuman treatment, deportation and murder of Jews in Axis-occupied areas;
6/Inflicting physical and mental harm on millions of Jews;
7/Planning a program for sterilization of Jews;
8/Deporting 100 Czechoslovakian children from Lidice to Poland, where they were killed;
9/Persecuting Jews on religious, racial, political and national grounds;
10/Appropriating Jewish property by force;
11/Deporting over 500,000 Poles;
12/Deporting 14,000 Slovenes;
13/Being a member of the SS;
14/Being a member of the Nazi Security Police;
15/Being a member of the Gestapo.

50 years ago
1971

Hit parade
#1 single in the U.K. (New Musical Express): Ernie (The Fastest Milkman in the West)--Benny Hill (3rd week at #1)

On television tonight
Rod Serling's Night Gallery, on NBC
Tonight's episode: The Messiah on Mott Street, starring Edward G. Robinson, Yaphet Kotto, and Tony Roberts; The Painted Mirror, starring Zsa Zsa Gabor, Arthur O'Connell, and Rosemary DeCamp

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Rahim Jaffer!

Politics and government
The Quebec National Assembly unanimously passed Bill 65, a measure from the Liberal government of Premier Robert Bourassa to reorganize health and social services in the province.

Economics and finance
The U.S.A., in an effort to resolve the world monetary crisis, announced that it was prepared to devalue the dollar as part of an international agreement to realign the rates of major currencies.

30 years ago
1981

Hit parade
Austria's Top 10 (Ö3)
1 Ja, wenn wir alle Englein wنren--Fred Sonnenschein und seine Freunde (5th week at #1)
2 Tainted Love--Soft Cell
3 Du entschuldige - i kenn' di--Peter Cornelius
4 Dance Little Bird--Electronica's
5 Pretend--Alvin Stardust
6 Japanese Boy--Aneka
7 Physical--Olivia Newton-John
8 Hooked on Classics--The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
9 Der Durscht--Ulli Bنer
10 Hold on Tight--Electric Light Orchestra

Singles entering the chart were Pretend; Der Durscht; It's Raining by Shakin' Stevens (#11); and Medley of Platters Songs by Rolling 60's (#19).

Music
The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra performed a free lunch hour concert at the Edmonton Centre mall.

Terrorism
The Iraqi Shia Islamist group al-Dawa carried out one of the first modern suicide bombings, targeting the Iraqi embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, resulting in 61 deaths and 110 injuries.

30 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): Black or White--Michael Jackson (4th week at #1)

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

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

Singles entering the chart were Save Up All Your Tears by Cher (#27); and Dizzy by Vic Reeves & the Wonder Stuff (#29).

Protest
In Fajardo, Puerto Rico, Ronald George led British Columbia Indian chiefs protesting upcoming celebrations of the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's discovery of the New World. The chiefs asked the Spanish consul to apologize for Spanish oppression of natives.

25 years ago
1996

Hit parade
#1 single in New Zealand (RIANZ): No Woman, No Cry--The Fugees (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Austria (ض3): Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)--Backstreet Boys (4th week at #1)

#1 single in Switzerland: Verpiss' dich--Tic Tac Toe

#1 single in Scotland (OCC): Knockin' on Heaven's Door/Throw These Guns Away--Dunblane

20 years ago
2001

Died on this date
Rufus Thomas, 84. U.S. entertainer. Mr. Thomas was a Memphis blues singer, songwriter, dancer, and disc jockey who had a career spanning more than 60 years. He was best known for his novelty dance hits such as Walking the Dog (1963); Do the Funky Chicken (1969); and (Do the) Push and Pull (1970). Mr. Thomas often performed duets with his daughter Carla. He died of heart failure.

Italiana
The Leaning Tower of Pisa reopened after 11 years and $27,000,000 spent to stabilize it, without fixing its famous lean.

10 years ago
2011

Died on this date
Bob Brookmeyer, 81. U.S. musician. Mr. Brookmeyer was a jazz trombonist, pianist, arranger, and composer whose career spanned more than 60 years. He performed in combos and bands led by artists such as Gerry Mulligan, Clark Terry, Jimmy Giuffre, and Stan Getz before becoming a session musician in Los Angeles in the late 1960s. A serious drinking problem hampered his career in the 1970s, but he overcame the habit, and was named music director of the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra in 1979. Mr. Brookmeyer was nominated for eight Grammy Awards, with his last nomination, in the category of instrumental arrangement, coming shortly before his death from congestive heart failure, four days before his 82nd birthday.

Christopher Hitchens, 62. U.K.-born journalist. Mr. Hitchens was a Marxist and socialist who wrote for various magazines and newspapers in a career spanning 40 years. He moved to the United States in 1981 as part of an editor exchange program between the New Statesman and The Nation, and eventually became an American citizen in 2007. Mr. Hitchens was critical of American foreign policy in the 1980s, but broke with most leftist opinion in the 2000s when he supported the American war in Iraq. He also broke with the left when he criticized U.S. President Bill Clinton. Mr. Hitchens was, with Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, and Sam Harris, one of the "Four Horsemen" of the New Atheist movement in the mid-late 2000s, expressing his views in his book God is Not Great (2007). New Atheism was already a spent movement by the time Mr. Hitchens was diagnosed in 2010 with esophageal cancer, which likely resulted from decades of heavy smoking and drinking. He wrote essays on cancer, which were published as the book Mortality (2012) after his death from pneumonia.

Crime
A triple murder-suicide north of Claresholm, Alberta resulted in three people dead, including two members of the Lethbridge Bulls baseball team; a fourth survived.