December 26, 2021

540 years ago
1481

War
Hollander forces defeated troops of Utrecht in the Battle of Westbroek.

270 years ago
1751

Born on this date
George Gordon. U.K. military officer and politician. Lord Gordon, a member of a noble family in Scotland, represented Ludgershall in the House of Commons, and was known for his criticism of all political factions. He founded the Protestant Association in 1778 and led it in opposition to limited rights for Roman Catholics. On June 2, 1780, Lord Gordon led a crowd of 50,000 in London opposed to Catholic emancipation; their actions, initially peaceful, descended into anti-Catholic violence, and became known as the "Gordon riots." Lord Gordon was charged with high treason, but was acquitted in 1781 for lack of treasonable intent. He was excommunicated from the Church of England in 1786, and converted to Orthodox Judaism in 1787, the year he was convicted of defaming Marie Antoinette, French Ambassador to Great Britain Jean-Balthazar d'Adhémar, and the administration of justice in England. Lord Gordon died from typhoid fever in Newgate Prison on November 1, 1793 at the age of 41.

230 years ago
1791

Born on this date
Charles Babbage. U.K. mathematician and engineer. Mr. Babbage was a polymath who has been called the "father of the computer" for devising the Difference Engine, the first mechanical computer, in the 1820s, and the Analytical Engine in 1837. He died of cystitis and kidney failure on October 18, 1871 at the age of 79.

Politics and government
The Constitutional Act 1791, passed by the British Parliament on June 19, went into effect, dividing the Province of Québec along the Ottawa River into Upper Canada and Lower Canada, each with a Lieutenant-Governor and a Legislature. Lower Canada kept the French civil law (Code civil). The so-called Canada Act gave the colonies their first powers to pass duties for revenue, a form of responsible government, but the governors and council retain the right to control revenue from the sale of Crown Lands, letting them bypass the Assembly. Guy Carleton, Lord Dorchester, was sworn in as Governor of Lower Canada. Members of the Legislative Council were: Chief Justices William Smith and Gaspard-Joseph Chaussegros de Léry; Hugh Finlay; François-Marie Picoté de Belestre; Thomas Dunn; Paul-Roch de Saint-Ours; Edward Harrison; François Baby; John Collins; Joseph-Dominique-Emmanuel Le Moyne de Longueuil; Adam Mabane; Charles-Louis Tarieu de Lanaudière; George Pownall; René-Amable Boucher de Boucherville; and John Fraser. The Executive Council consisted of: William Smith; Paul-Roch de Saint-Ours; Hugh Finlay; François Baby; Thomas Dunn; Joseph de Longueuil; Adam Mabane; Pierre Panet; and Adam Lymburner.

210 years ago
1811

Died on this date
Abraham B. Venable, 53. U.S. politician. Mr. Venable, a Democratic-Republican, represented Virginia's 6th (1791-1793) and 7th (1793-1799) Districts in the U.S. House of Representatives, and represented Prince Edward County in the Virginia House of Delegates (1800-1803). He represented Virginia in the U.S. Senate (1803-1804), filling a vacancy, and resigned to serve as president of the Bank of Virginia. Mr. Venable was one of the victims of the Richmond Theatre fire.

George William Smith, 49. U.S. politician. Mr. Smith, a Democratic-Republican, represented Essex County and then Richmond (1802-1808) in the Virginia House of Delegates, and was Lieutenant Governor and served two brief terms as acting Governor before being elected in his own right. He had been in office for less than nine months when he died in the Richmond Theatre fire.

Disasters
A fire at the Richmond Theatre in Richmond, Virginia killed 72 of the 598 people in attendance. In addition to Messrs. Venable and Smith, the victims included many members of Richmond's high society. The fire was the worst urban disaster in American history to that date.

160 years ago
1861

Diplomacy
Confederate diplomatic envoys James Murray Mason and John Slidell were freed by the United States government, thus heading off a possible war between the United States and the United Kingdom.

150 years ago
1871

Opera
Thespis, the first collaboration between lyricist W.S. Gilbert and composer Arthur Sullivan, received its premiere performance at the Gaiety Theatre in London.

130 years ago
1891

Born on this date
Henry Miller. U.S. writer and artist. Mr. Miller wrote travel memoirs and literary criticism, and painted watercolours, but was primarily known for his novels Tropic of Cancer (1934) and Tropic of Capricorn (1939), which weren't published in the United States for many years on grounds of obscenity. He died from circulatory problems on June 7, 1980 at the age of 88.

120 years ago
1901

Radio
Two weeks after receiving the first transatlantic radio signal at Signal Hill in St. John's Newfoundland, Guglielmo Marconi arrived in North Sydney, Nova Scotia. The Anglo-American Telegraph Company, owner of the undersea cable and holder of a monopoly of telegraphy in the province, notified him that it would take legal action unless he immediately ceased his wireless experiments and removed his equipment from Newfoundland. Mr. Marconi conferred with Nova Scotia Premier George Murray, William Smith of the Canadian Post Office, Mayor Mckenzie of North Sydney, and the Honourable J.N. Armstrong, a prominent local politician and member of the Nova Scotia cabinet. They urged him to set up shop in Cape Breton, and sent him on to Ottawa two days later.

100 years ago
1921

Born on this date
Steve Allen. U.S. broadcaster, author, songwriter, comedian. Mr. Allen, a man of many talents, was the original host of the Tonight show on NBC from 1954-1957. He then moved into prime time on Sunday nights with a comedy and variety show on NBC that ran at the same time that Ed Sullivan's program was on CBS; The Steve Allen Show (1956-1960) drew respectable ratings. He conceived and hosted a program on PBS called Meeting of Minds (1977-1981), where actors portraying historical characters would discuss various issues. Mr. Allen wrote several thousand songs, the best-known of which is This Could Be the Start of Something. His books included The Funny Men (1956); Funny People (1981); More Funny People (1982); and Vulgarians at the Gate (2000). Mr. Allen died on October 30, 2000 at the age of 78, several hours after suffering a ruptured blood vessel caused by chest injuries received in a traffic accident.

John Severin. U.S. artist. Mr. Severin was an illustrator with Marvel Comics and E.C. Comics in a career spanning more than 60 years. He was particularly known for his work in war comics, and for his keen eye for historical detail. Mr. Severin was one of the first artists to work with Mad magazine (1952-1954), but left in a dispute with the magazine's founder, Harvey Kurtzman. Mr. Severin spent more than 40 years with Cracked, Mad's main rival, and was regarded by many as the only talented individual steadily working with Cracked. He died on February 12, 2012 at the age of 90.

90 years ago
1931

Died on this date
Melvil Dewey, 80. U.S. librarian. Mr. Dewey founded The Library Journal in 1876; he was one of the founders of the American Library Association, and was its secretary (1876-1891) and president (1891-1893). He was chief librarian of Columbia University Libraries (1883-1888); director of the New York State Library (1888-1906); and secretary and executive officer of the University of the State of New York (1888-1900). Mr. Dewey established the standard dimensions for catalogue cards, but was best known for creating the Dewey Decimal System of classification system, first published in 1876. He had a reputation for sexually harassing women, which finally forced his resignation as N.Y. State Library director and from active participation in the ALA. Mr. Dewey founded the Lake Placid Club as a resort in 1895, with a policy that barred Jews, Negroes, and other minorities from membership. He died from a stroke, 16 days after his 80th birthday.

80 years ago
1941

Diplomacy
Winston Churchill became the first British Prime Minister to address a joint session of the United States Congress.



Canadian Prime Minister Mackenzie King arrived in Washington to participate in the U.S.-U.K. military and naval conference.

War
The U.S.S.R. announced that Naro Fominsk, about 50 miles southeast of Moscow, had been recaptured together with other towns. U.S. Army General Douglas MacArthur declared Manila to be an open city, and ordered all troops and anti-aircraft guns to be withdrawn. The British War Office announced that Lieutenant General Sir Henry Pownall had arrived in Singapore to assume command of British forces in the Far East, replacing Chief Marshal Sir Robert Brooke-Popham. The British embassy in Chungking announced that a U.K.-U.S.-Chinese Military Council had been created there.

Americana
U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a bill establishing the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day in the United States.

Science
Dr. Paul J. Kolachov reported that the Russian dandelion plant known as kok-sagyz could produce crude rubber and may be grown virtually in any soil.

Labour
Striking welders withdrew their picket lines at defense plants and shipyards in the San Francisco area.

75 years ago
1946

At the movies
The Man I Love, directed by Raoul Walsh, and starring Ida Lupino, Robert Alda, Andrea King, and Bruce Bennett, opened in theatres in New York City.





Died on this date
Max Warburg, 79. German banker. Mr. Warburg, scion of a Hamburg banking family, was director of M. M. Warburg & Co., was a member of the Hamburg parliament, and began advising Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1903. He served on the board of the German Reichsbank under governor Hjalmar Schach (1933-1935), but sold the bank after the Nazis passed the anti-Semitic Nuremberg Laws, and emigrated to the United States in 1938. Mr. Warburg died in New York City.

Movies
Motion Picture Herald's poll reported that the top box office attractions in the United States in 1946 were: Bing Crosby, Ingrid Bergman, Van Johnson, Gary Cooper, Bob Hope, Humphrey Bogart, and Greer Garson.

Diplomacy
U.S. State Department spokesman Lincoln White affirmed that Soviet authorities in Manchuria were within their rights in ordering an American ship out of Dairen harbour on December 20.

Defense
Mohammed Nimer el Huwari, commander of the Arab underground army Najada, announced the merger of his forces with the Arab youth organization Futuwah for joint operations under the Arab Higher Committee in Palestine.

Exploration
Norwegian anthropologist Thor Heyerdahl announced that he would sail 4,000 miles in a wooden raft from Peru to Tahiti in an attempt to prove that Polynesia had been settled by inhabitants of South America.

Economics and finance
Colombia became the 39th nation to join the World Bank.

The French cabinet raised telephone tolls, subway fares, and other public service charges by up to 150% in an anti-inflation move.

Business
Gangster Bugsy Siegel opened The Flamingo Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

Labour
Counsel to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Un-American Activities Ernie Adamson issued an unauthorized report claiming that 17 Congress of Industrial Organizations unions were dominated by Communists; that Communists were plotting a general strike to provoke revolution; and that the Library of Congress was a "haven for foreign-minded Americans."

70 years ago
1951

Diplomacy
The U.S. State Department announced that it would pay Hungary $120,000 in fines to secure the release of four U.S. fliers who had been captured on November 19.

Oil
Czech spokesmen in Tehran announced that Czechoslovakia would buy 500,000 tons of refined oil from Iran and "large" additional quantities of crude oil for refining in Czech plants.

Economics and finance
Retail prices in the U.S.A. hit a record 234.5% of the 1935-1939 average, 15% above the pre-Korean War level.

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 (6th week at #1)

On television tonight
Alfred Hitchcock Presents, on NBC
Tonight's episode: A Jury of Her Peers, starring Ann Harding, Philip Bourneuf, and Frances Reid

50 years ago
1971

War
U.S. Air Force and Navy planes began several days of heavy bombing raids on military installations in North Vietnam.

Crime
An Air Canada jet en route from Thunder Bay, Ontario to Toronto was hijacked to Cuba.

Boxing
Former world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali (34-1) knocked out Jürgen Blin (27-10-6) at 2:12 of the 7th round of their bout in an unusually small ring at Hallenstadion Arena in Zurich. On the undercard, Mac Foster (28-1) knocked out Italian heavyweight champion Bepi Ros (30-8) in the 8th round.



Football
NFL
AFC Divisional Playoff
Baltimore 20 @ Cleveland 3

Don Nottingham rushed 23 times for 92 yards and 2 touchdowns, and Jim O'Brien kicked 2 converts and 2 field goals as the defending Super Bowl champion Colts defeated the Browns at Municipal Stadium.



NFC Divisional Playoff
Washington 20 @ San Francisco 24

John Brodie completed touchdown passes of 78 yards to Gene Washington and 2 yards to Bob Windsor as the 49ers defeated the Redskins in the first NFL playoff game to be played at Candlestick Park.



40 years ago
1981

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (Hit Parade Italia): Cicale--Heather Parisi (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Flanders (Ultratop 50): Why Do Fools Fall in Love--Diana Ross

#1 single in Ireland: One of Us--ABBA

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Don't You Want Me--The Human League (3rd week at #1)

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 Why Do Fools Fall in Love--Diana Ross (2nd week at #1)
2 Annie--Miggy
3 One of Us--ABBA
4 Wünderbar--Tenpole Tudor
5 Under Pressure--Queen & David Bowie
6 I Go to Sleep--Pretenders
7 They Don't Play Our Lovesong Anymore--Anita Meyer
8 Let's Start II Dance Again--Bohannon
9 Spirits in the Material World--The Police
10 It's Raining--Shakin' Stevens

Singles entering the chart were Je Loog Tegen Mij by Drukwerk (#24); I Won't Let You Down by Ph.D. (#29); Bensonhurst Blues by Oscar Benton (#31); Lobo's Gospel Show by Lobo (#34); Op Een Onbewoond Eiland by Kinderen Voor Kinderen (#35); Perhaps Love by Placido Domingo & John Denver (#36); and Cambodia by Kim Wilde (#38).

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

Singles entering the chart were Abacab by Genesis (#71); Southern Pacific by Neil Young & Crazy Horse (#80); Through the Years by Kenny Rogers (#82); Crazy (Keep on Falling) by John Hall Band (#83); Tonight Tonight by Bill Champlin (#85); and Can't Hold Back (Your Loving) by Kano (#91).

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

Singles entering the chart were Through the Years by Kenny Rogers (#60); Abacab by Genesis (#76); Crazy (Keep on Falling) by John Hall Band (#83); Let the Feeling Flow by Peabo Bryson (#84); Pac-Man Fever by Buckner and Garcia (#87); You Can by Madleen Kane (#88); Seasons of Gold by Gidea Park featuring Adrian Baker (#89); and Tonight Tonight by Bill Champlin (#90).

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

Singles entering the chart were Through the Years by Kenny Rogers (#50); Pac-Man Fever by Buckner & Garcia (#79); Could it Be Love by Jennifer Warnes (#82); You're My Latest, My Greatest Inspiration by Teddy Pendergrass (#86); Those Good Old Dreams by the Carpenters (#89); and If You Think You're Lonely Now by Bobby Womack (#94).

Canada’s Top 10 (RPM)
1 Physical--Olivia Newton-John (2nd week at #1)
2 Young Turks--Rod Stewart
3 Oh No--Commodores
4 Under Pressure--Queen & David Bowie
5 Waiting for a Girl Like You--Foreigner
6 My Girl (Gone, Gone, Gone)--Chilliwack
7 Trouble--Lindsey Buckingham
8 The Friends of Mr. Cairo--Jon and Vangelis
9 Don't Stop Believin'--Journey
10 Harden My Heart--Quarterflash

Singles entering the chart were Flying High Again by Ozzy Osbourne (#42); The Sweetest Thing (I've Ever Known) by Juice Newton (#44); You Could Have Been with Me by Sheena Easton (#46); She's Got a Way by Billy Joel (#47); There's No One Quite Like Grandma by Leliah and Jeordie (#48); Take it Easy on Me by Little River Band (#49); and Letting Go by Straight Lines (#50).

Died on this date
Suat Hayri Ürgüplü, 78. Prime Minister of Turkey, 1965. Mr. Ürgüplü was a judge of the Istanbul Commercial Court (1939-1942). A member of the Democratic Party, he represented Kayseri in the Chamber of Deputies (1939-1946, 1950-1952), serving as Minister of Customs and Public Monopolies (1947-1948). Mr. Ürgüplü was Turkey's Ambassador to West Germany (1952-1955); U.K. (1955-1959); U.S.A. (1959-1960); and Spain (1960-1961). As a member of the Justice Party, he was elected to the Senate in 1961, serving as Prime Minister of a non-partisan caretaker cabinet from February-October 1965 after the collapse of the government of Prime Minister İsmet İnönü. Mr. Ürgüplü remained in the Senate until his death from heart disease.

30 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): Bohemian Rhapsody/These Are the Days of Our Lives--Queen (2nd week at #1)

World events
The Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union met and formally dissolved the Soviet Union, ending the Cold War.

Business
The U.S. airline Northwest Airlines bought 20 Dash 8 Series 100 aircraft for $190 million from Toronto-based de Haviland, a division of Boeing Canada.

25 years ago
1996

Hit parade
#1 single in Denmark (Nielsen Music Control & IFPI): Breathe--The Prodigy (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Finland (Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland): Anna mulle piiskaa--Apulanta (2nd week at #1)

Died on this date
JonBenét Ramsey, 6. U.S. crime victim. Miss Ramsey, a child beauty contestant, died from strangulation and a fractured skull at her family's home in Boulder, Colorado. The crime resulted in a U.S. media obsession, and the case is still officially open.

Labour
The Federation of Korean Trade Unions called on its 1.2 million members to refuse to work, beginning the largest organized strike in South Korean history.

20 years ago
2001

Died on this date
Nigel Hawthorne, 72. U.K. actor. Sir Nigel had a distinguished career on stage, screen, and television spanning 50 years, winning numerous awards. He won a Tony Award for his starring performance in Shadowlands (1990), and won six Laurence Olivier Awards, four for his starring performances in the television comedy series Yes Minister (1980-1984) and Yes, Prime Minister (1986-1988). Sir Nigel won a Laurence Olivier Award for his starring performance in the play The Madness of George III (1991), and a BAFTA and two other British awards for starring in its film adaptation, The Madness of King George (1994), receiving an Academy Award nomination for the film. Sir Nigel died of a heart attack after suffering from pancreatic cancer.

10 years ago
2011

Died on this date
Sarekoppa Bangarappa, 78. Indian politician. Mr. Bangarappa was a member of several parties in a political career spanning more than 40 years. He represented Soraba in the Karnataka Assembly (1967-1996), and was Chief Minister of Karnataka (1990-1992). Mr. Bangarappa represented Shimoga in the Lok Sabha (1999-2005, 2005-2009). He died from multiple causes after suffering from diabetes; his funeral required police intervention because of disputes between factions involving his sons Kumar and Madhu.

Houston Antwine, 72. U.S. football player. Mr. Antwine played defensive tackle at Southern Illinois University and with the Boston/New England Patriots (1961-1971) and Philadelphia Eagles (1972). He made the American Football League's First All-Star Team in 1963, and the Second Team five times (1964, 1966-1969), earning recognition on the all-time All-AFL Team.

Pedro Armendáriz, Jr., 71. Mexican-born actor. Mr. Armendáriz, the son of actor Pedro Armendáriz, Sr., appeared in movies and television programs in Mexico and the United States in a career spanning 45 years. His movies included Tombstone (1993) and Amistad (1997). Mr. Armendáriz died in New York while being treated for eye cancer, and was buried in Mexico City.

Joe Bodolai, 63. U.S.-born screenwriter and producer. Mr. Bodolai fled to Canada in the late 1960s to avoid the military draft, and spent much of his life in Canada as a comedy writer and producer; he was a frequent guest of Peter Gzowski's on his CBC radio program This Country in the Morning (1970-1974). He returned to the United States in 1981 and wrote more than 20 episodes of Saturday Night Live before returning to Canada and producing television programs such as Comics! and The Kids in the Hall. Mr. Bodolai co-founded the Canadian cable channel The Comedy Network in the mid-1990s, but returned to the U.S. after the Comedy Network's owners declined to hire him to run the network. He was unable to conquer a drinking habit, and committed suicide by drinking a mixture of Gatorade and antifreeze. Mr. Bodolai's blog Say It Ain't So, Joe! remains online; its last entry, dated December 23, 2011, reads like a suicide note.

December 25, 2021

975 years ago
1046

Europeana
Henry III was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Clement II.

560 years ago
1461

Born on this date
Christina of Saxony. Queen consort of Denmark (1481-1513); Norway (1483-1513); and Sweden (1497-1501). Christina married the future King Hans in 1478, and became Queen consort when he acceded to the Danish throne upon the death of his father. Hans was subsequently elected King of Norway and conquered Sweden. Queen Christina accompanied her husband to Sweden, but he began an adulterous affair in 1501, and was removed as king, while Queen Christina was taken into custody, and wasn't permitted to return to Denmark until 1503, where she lived separately from King Hans until her death on December 8, 1521, 17 days before her 60th birthday.

310 years ago
1711

Born on this date
Jean-Joseph de Mondonville. French musician and composer. Mr. Mondonville was a classical violinist who was associated with the Chapelle royale and chamber, performing 100 concerts. He wrote grands motets, light operas, oratorios, and works for violin. Mr. Mondonville died on October 8, 1772 at the age of 60.

200 years ago
1821

Born on this date
Clara Barton. U.S. nurse. Miss Barton was a schoolteacher and self-taught nurse who aided Union Army soldiers in the American Civil War and ran the Office of Missing Soldiers after the war, identifying soldiers killed or missing in action. She founded the American Red Cross in 1881 and was its president until her retirement in 1904. Miss Barton died on April 12, 1912 at the age of 90.

190 years ago
1831

Protest
Baptist preacher Samuel Sharpe began the 11-day Great Jamaican Slave Revolt; up to 20% of Jamaica's slaves mobilized in an ultimately unsuccessful fight for freedom.

160 years ago
1861

Born on this date
Madan Mohan Malaviya. Indian educator, journalist, and politician. Mahamana Malaviya, a lawyer by profession, co-founded Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in 1916, and was its vice chancellor from 1919-1938. He founded the English-language newspaper The Leader in 1909, and was chairman of the Hindustan Times (1924-1936). Mahamana Malaviya was a member of the Imperial Legislative Council/Central Legislative Assembly (1912-1926) while being a moderate advocate of Indian independence, and served three terms as president of the Indian National Congress. He was one of the founders of the Bharat Scouts and Guides, and died on November 12, 1946 at the age of 84.

130 years ago
1891

Born on this date
Kenneth Anderson. Indian-born U.K. military officer and politician. General Sir Kenneth served in both world wars, and was best known for commanding the British First Army during Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of North Africa and the subsequent Tunisian Campaign. He served as Governor of Gibraltar from 1947-1952. General Sir Kenneth died of pneumonia on April 29, 1959 at the age of 67.

120 years ago
1901

Born on this date
Alice, Duchess of Gloucester. U.K. royal family member. Princess Alice was the daughter of the Duke of Buccleuch, Scotland's largest landowner, and married Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, the third son of King George V, in 1935. She served with the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF)/Women's Royal Air Force (WRAF), and held official positions with a dozen British Army regiments. The Duchess of Gloucester carried out public functions until she was 98, and died on October 29, 2004 at the age of 102.

100 years ago
1921

Born on this date
Steve Otto. Polish-born Canadian politician. Mr. Otto, a Liberal, represented the Ontario riding of York East in the Canadian House of Commons (1962-1972). He was 22 days past his 67th birthday when he disappeared and was presumed dead when his sailboat hit a rock and capsized off the coast of Cuba on January 16, 1989.

Died on this date
Hans Huber, 69. Swiss composer. Mr. Huber wrote eight symphonies, five operas, four piano concertos, and other orchestral, chamber, and choral works.

Vladimir Korolenko, 68. Russian journalist and author. Mr. Korolenko wrote fiction and non-fiction expressing criticism of Russia's czarist regime; his best-known work was the short novel The Blind Musician (1886). Mr. Korolenko suffered from progressive heart disease in later years, and died of pneumonia.

90 years ago
1931

Radio
The shortwave station HCJB, "The Voice of the Andes," began broadcasting from Quito, Ecuador.

80 years ago
1941

Died on this date
Richard S. Aldrich, 57. U.S. politician. Mr. Aldrich, a son of U.S. Senator Nelson Aldrich and a cousin of the Rockefellers, was a Republican, and a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives (1914-1916) and Senate (1916-1918). He represented Rhode Island's 2nd District in the U.S. House of Representatives (1923-1933).

War
British forces surrendered Hong Kong to invading Japanese forces; 290 members of the Royal Rifles of Canada (a Quebec unit) and the Winnipeg Grenadiers were dead, and 493 wounded. Major John Crawford and 1,975 Canadian soldiers were captured and incarcerated at the Sham Shui Po prison camp at Kowloon for 44 months. Japanese soldiers continued their destruction of St. Stephen's College hospital in Hong Kong, killing over 100 British, Canadian and Indian wounded soldiers, as well as a number of doctors and nurses. Manila and Tokyo dispatches reported that Japanese troops had advanced at three points on the Phillipine island of Luzon despite strong resistance. Admiral Chester W. Nimitz arrived at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii to assume command of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

World events
Reuters reported from Bhagalpur, India that 320 Hindu leaders, including Dr. Syamprosad Mookerjee, finance minister of the Bengal government, had been arrested for trying to attend a conference that had been banned.

Communications
U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Australian Prime Minister John Curtin formally opened a 7,420-mile direct radio-telegraph communications system between the two countries.

Politics and government
The male population of Saint Pierre voted by more than 98% for association with Free French forces, as opposed to collaboration with the Axis.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Jesse Jones announced the creation of a Small Business Unit in the Commece Department under William Shepardson.

Economics and finance
The U.S. Congressional-Executive Joint Committee on Non-Essential Expenditures, headed by Senator Harry F. Byrd (Democrat--Virginia), recommended total savings of $1.7 billion in non-defense expenditures.

Labour
Representatives of Air Associates, Inc. and the Congress of Industrial Organizations United Auto Workers of America reached an agreement in Bendix, New Jersey on a one-years contract, providing wage increases and a modified union shop.

75 years ago
1946

Died on this date
W.C. Fields, 66. U.S. actor. Mr. Fields, born William Claude Dukenfield, was famous (and beloved by this blogger) for his misanthropic persona, side-of-the-mouth vocal delivery, large nose, juggling skill, and fondness for alcohol. His movies included It's a Gift (1934); You Can't Cheat an Honest Man (1939); and Never Give a Sucker an Even Break (1941). He died as a result of years of heavy drinking.

Emir Mohammed Zeinati. Palestinian crime victim. Mr. Zeinati, an Arab landowner, was slain in Haifa by unknown assassins, apparently for selling land to Jews.

Asiatica
Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands proclaimed the Provisional State of East Indonesia, including all of the former Dutch East Indies east of Java and Borneo except New Guinea.

Diplomacy
The U.K. and France signed an agreement eliminating visa requirements and other restrictions on citizens of one country travelling in the other.

Politics and government
Boycotted by Communists, China's Constitutional Assembly passed a new constitution, based on British and American models, which would go into effect on January 1, 1947. Communist spokesmen called the charter "illegal' and said that it would not be recognized in Communist-held areas.

French High Commissioner for Indonesia Admiral Thierry d'Argenlieu issued a Christmas message stating, "France does not intend in the present stage of evolution of the Indochinese people to give them total and unconditional independence."

Chile's Socialist Party rejected a proposed alliance with the Communists.

Energy
The first European self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction was initiated within the U.S.S.R.'s F-1 nuclear reactor.

Nuclear scientist C. Rogers McCullough revealed that researchers were constructing the world's first atomic power pile for peacetime use at Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

Gas for industrial use was cut off in six New Jersey counties, following a strike at the Jersey City and Piscataway Township plants of the Public Service and Electric Company.

70 years ago
1951

On television tonight
Suspense, on CBS
Tonight's episode: The Lonely Place, starring Judith Evelyn, Boris Karloff, and Robin Morgan

Died on this date
Harry T. Moore, 46. U.S. civil rights leader. Mr. Moore was a schoolteacher who founded, in 1934, the first branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in Brevard County, Florida, and was president of the state chapter of the NAACP. His activities included registration of Negro voters in Florida and and working for equal pay for Negro teachers in public schools. Mr. Moore and his wife Harriette, 49, were at their home in Mims, Florida on Christmas night when a bomb planted under the bedroom floor exploded. The local hospital in Titusville refused to treat Negroes, and Mr. Moore died while being transported by ambulance to the closest one where he could receive treatment. Mrs. Moore was seriously injured, and died nine days later, on January 3, 1952. The murders were investigated in 1951-1952, but no one was prosecuted then or in later decades when subsequent investigations took place. A state investigation in 2005-2006 named four Ku Klux Klan members, by then long dead, as the likely murderers.

Diplomacy
Cuba and the Dominican Republic signed in Washington a declaration of peaceful intentions, as D.R. President Rafael Trujillo pardoned five Cuban sailors of plotting to overthrow the Dominican government.

Crime
The Stone of Destiny, a British royal family heirloom, was stolen from Westminster Abbey in London.

Oil
Iran nationalized the Khanaquin and Rafidian oil companies, subsidiaries of the British-owned Anglo-Iranian Oil Company.

60 years ago
1961

Hit parade
#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Moliendo Café--Lucho Gatica (6th week at #1)

#1 single in France (IFOP): L'Auto-circulation--Henri Tisot (8th week at #1)

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 The Lion Sleeps Tonight--The Tokens (2nd week at #1)
2 Run to Him--Bobby Vee
3 The Twist--Chubby Checker
4 Goodbye Cruel World--James Darren
5 Walk on By--Leroy Van Dyke
6 Peppermint Twist - Part I--Joey Dee & the Starliters
7 Please Mr. Postman--The Marvelettes
8 Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen--Neil Sedaka
9 Let There Be Drums--Sandy Nelson
10 Can't Help Falling in Love--Elvis Presley

Singles entering the chart were She's Everything (I Wanted You to Be) by Ral Donner (#76); Please Come Home for Christmas by Charles Brown (#85); Go on Home by Patti Page (#91); Tuff by Ace Cannon (#92); I Told the Brook by Marty Robbins (#94); Smoky Places by the Corsairs featuring the voice of Jay "Bird" Uzzell (#95); Tears from an Angel by Troy Shondell (#96); Free Me by Johnny Preston (#97); I Need Some One by the Belmonts (#98); Santa & the Touchables by Dickie Goodman (#99); and Ev'rybody's Cryin' by Jimmie Beaumont (#100). Santa & the Touchables was a "break-in" record, a comedy record featuring excerpts from recent hits, and was Mr. Goodman's third such single in 1961, after The Touchables and The Touchables in Brooklyn.

On the radio
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, starring Carleton Hobbs and Norman Shelley, on BBC
Tonight's episode: The Blue Carbuncle

On television tonight
Thriller, hosted by Boris Karloff, on NBC
Tonight's episode: Portrait Without a Face, starring Jane Greer, Robert Webber, and George Mitchell



Died on this date
Otto Loewi, 88. German-born pharmacologist. Dr. Loewi shared the 1936 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Sir Henry Dale "for their discoveries relating to chemical transmission of nerve impulses." He emigrated to Austria in 1903 and became an Austro-Hungarian citizen two years later, but spent three months in custody after the German Anschluss of Austria in 1938. Dr. Loewi was released on condition that he relinquish all his possessions, including his research, to the Nazis. He went to Britain, Belgium, and eventually the United States in 1940, becoming an American citizen in 1946.

Owen Brewster, 73. U.S. politician. Mr. Brewster was Governor of Maine (1925-1929); member of the United States House of Representatives from Maine (1935-1941); and United States Senator from Maine (1941-1952). As chairman of a special Senate committee investigating defense procurement during World War II, Mr. Brewster attacked the commercial interests of Howard Hughes, but his reputation suffered when Mr. Hughes responded with accusations of his own.

50 years ago
1971

Hit parade
#1 single in Italy (FIMI): Pensiero--Pooh (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in the U.K. (BMRB): Ernie (The Fastest Milkman in the West)--Benny Hill (3rd week at #1)

Australia's Top 10 (Go-Set)
1 Maggie May/Reason to Believe--Rod Stewart (3rd week at #1)
2 Banks of the Ohio--Olivia Newton-John
3 Peace Train--Cat Stevens
4 Mammy Blue--Joel Dayde
5 Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves--Cher
6 Imagine--John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band
7 Love is a Beautiful Song--Dave Mills
8 Speak to the Sky--Ricky Springfield
9 Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey--Paul & Linda McCartney
10 Freedom Come, Freedom Go--The Fortunes

Singles entering the chart were Hi Honey Ho by Daddy Cool (#26); Captain Zero by the Mixtures (#31); Walking the Floor on My Hands by Johnny Farnham (#33); and Superstar by the Carpenters (#37).

Netherlands Top 10 (De Nederlandse Top 40)
1 How Do You Do--Mouth & MacNeal (2nd week at #1)
2 Non, Non, Rien N'a Changé--Poppys
3 Pappie Loop Toch Niet Zo Snel--Herman Van Keeken
4 I Will Return--Springwater
5 Coz I Luv You--Slade
6 Out of Sight, Out of Mind--Shocking Blue
7 Schön ist es auf der Welt zu sein--Roy Black + Anita
8 Without a Worry in the World--Rod McKuen
9 Soley Soley--The Middle of the Road
10 Des Chansons Pop--Poppys

Singles entering the chart were Hoog Daar Aan de Hemel by Corry en de Rekels (#15); Tightrope Ride by the Doors (#31); Family Affair by Sly & the Family Stone (#33); and Lovin' and Hurtin' by Jojo (#34).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Billboard)
1 Brand New Key--Melanie
2 Family Affair--Sly & the Family Stone
3 American Pie - Parts I and II--Don McLean
4 An Old Fashioned Love Song--Three Dog Night
5 Got to Be There--Michael Jackson
6 Have You Seen Her--Chi-Lites
7 All I Ever Need is You--Sonny & Cher
8 Scorpio--Dennis Coffey and the Detroit Guitar Band
9 Cherish--David Cassidy
10 Hey Girl/I Knew You When--Donny Osmond

Singles entering the chart were Black Dog by Led Zeppelin (#67); Fire and Water by Wilson Pickett (#79); Never Been to Spain by Three Dog Night (#81); What am I Living For by Ray Charles (#87); Under My Wheels by Alice Cooper (#88); Son of Shaft by the Bar-Kays (#92); Love Gonna Pack Up (And Walk Out) by the Persuaders (#96); Do the Funky Penguin Part II by Rufus Thomas (#97); and Pain (Part 1) by the Ohio Players (#99).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Brand New Key-Melanie
2 Got to Be There--Michael Jackson
3 Family Affair--Sly & the Family Stone
4 An Old Fashioned Love Song--Three Dog Night
5 Cherish--David Cassidy
6 American Pie - Parts I and II--Don McLean
7 All I Ever Need is You--Sonny & Cher
8 Scorpio--Dennis Coffey and the Detroit Guitar Band
9 Have You Seen Her--Chi-Lites
10 Respect Yourself--Staples Singers

Singles entering the chart were Never Been to Spain by Three Dog Night (#60); Together Let's Find Love by the 5th Dimension (#75); Fire and Water by Wilson Pickett (#76); Slippin' Into Darkness by War (#83); Ain't Understanding Mellow by Jerry Butler and Brenda Lee Eager (#85); What am I Living For by Ray Charles (#86); Son of Shaft by the Bar-Kays (#87); Those were the Days by Carroll O'Connor and Jean Stapleton (as the Bunkers) (#89); Ajax Airlines by Hudson and Landry (#90); The Lion Sleeps Tonight by Robert John (#93); Come on Over to My House by Layng Martine (#96); Love Potion Number Nine by the Coasters (#97); and Jungle Fever by Chakachas (#99).

U.S.A. Top 10 (Record World)
1 Brand New Key-Melanie
2 Family Affair--Sly and the Family Stone
3 American Pie--Don McLean
4 An Old Fashioned Love Song--Three Dog Night
5 Have You Seen Her--Chi-Lites
6 Got to Be There--Michael Jackson
7 Cherish--David Cassidy
8 All I Ever Need is You--Sonny & Cher
9 Respect Yourself--The Staple Singers
10 Stones--Neil Diamond

Singles entering the chart were Never Been to Spain by Three Dog Night (#66); Tupelo Honey by Van Morrison (#77); That's the Way I Feel About Cha by Bobby Womack and Peace (#79); Stay with Me by Faces (#82); Keep on Keeping On by N.F. Porter (#83); Footstompin' Music by Grand Funk Railroad (#85); Joy by Apollo 100 (#87); What am I Living For by Ray Charles (#89); Open the Door by Judy Collins (#92); If I Could See the Light by the 8th Day (#95); Keep Playin' that Rock 'n' Roll by Edgar Winter's White Trash (#96); Long Time to Be Alone by the New Colony Six (#98); Precious and Few by Climax (#99); and What's Going On by Quincy Jones (#100).

Canada’s Top 10 (RPM)
1 Family Affair--Sly & the Family Stone (2nd week at #1)
2 An Old Fashioned Love Song--Three Dog Night
3 Got to Be There--Michael Jackson
4 The Desiderata--Les Crane
5 Theme from Shaft--Isaac Hayes
6 Brand New Key--Melanie
7 Cherish--David Cassidy
8 Devil You--Stampeders
9 Lonesome Mary--Chilliwack
10 All I Ever Need is You--Sonny & Cher

Singles entering the chart were Happy Xmas (War is Over) by by John Lennon/Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band with the Harlem Community Choir (#75); Don't Say You Don't Remember by Beverly Bremers (#92); Me and Bobby McGee by Jerry Lee Lewis (#93); Keep on Movin' by Aaron Space (#95); Footstompin' Music by Grand Funk Railroad (#96); Never Been to Spain by Three Dog Night (#97); Drowning in the Sea of Love by Joe Simon (#98); Mexican Lady by Steel River (#99); and Let's Stay Together by Al Green (#100).

Football
NFL
NFC Divisional Playoff
Dallas 20 @ Minnesota 12

The Cowboys led 6-3 at halftime on 2 field goals by Mike Clark to 1 by Fred Cox of the Vikings, and took a 20-3 lead after 3 quarters on a 13-yard touchdown rush by Duane Thomas and a 9-yard touchdown pass from Roger Staubach to Bob Hayes, both converted by Mr. Clark. Alan Page tackled Mr. Staubach in his own end zone for a Minnesota safety touch in the 4th quarter, and the Vikings closed the scoring on a 6-yard pass from quarterback Gary Cuozzo to Stu Voigt, converted by Mr. Cox. 47,307 were in attendance at Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington.



AFC Divisional Playoff
Miami 27 @ Kansas City 24 (2 OT)

Garo Yepremian's 37-yard field goal at 7:40 of the 2nd overtime period ended the longest game in professional football history to date (see video).

40 years ago
1981

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Ooa hela natten--Attack (6th week at #1)

#1 single in France (IFOP): Je chante avec toi, liberté--Nana Mouskouri

South Africa's Top 10 (Springbok Radio)
1 Going Back to My Roots--Odyssey
2 It's You, It's You, It's You--Joe Dolan
3 Endless Love--Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
4 It's My Party--Dave Stewart with Barbara Gaskin
5 Urgent--Foreigner
6 Prince Charming--Adam & the Ants
7 Dancing on the Floor (Hooked on Love)--Third World
8 Under Pressure--Queen & David Bowie
9 Arthur's Theme (Best that You Can Do)--Christopher Cross
10 Start Me Up--Rolling Stones

Singles entering the chart were Action Man by the Village People (#18); and Abacab by Genesis (#19).

Football
NCAA
Blue-Gray Game @ Cramton Bowl, Montgomery, Alabama
Blue 21 Gray 9

30 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Sweden (Topplistan): Black or White-- Michael Jackson (6th week at #1)

Died on this date
Wilbur Snyder, 62. U.S. football player and wrestler. Mr. Snyder was a tackle and kicker who joined the Edmonton Eskimos of the Western Interprovincial Football Union during the 1952 season. He scored just 3 points in the regular season, but scored 29 points in 5 playoff games; with the Eskimos facing elimination in the best-of-three WIFU finals, Mr. Snyder scored 13 points on a touchdown, 2 converts, and 2 field goals to help the Eskimos to an 18-12 win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and added 7 points in a 22-11 win in the third game as the Eskimos advanced to the Grey Cup. Mr. Snyder kicked a convert for the Eskimos in their 22-11 loss to the Toronto Argonauts in the 1952 Grey Cup, and began wrestling professionally in the off-season in western Canada. Mr. Snyder scored 51 points in the 1953 regular season and 15 points in 3 playoff games as the Eskimos lost the WIFU finals to the Blue Bombers. He retired from football to wrestle full-time, holding various regional championship belts in National Wrestling Alliance territories until his retirement in 1984. Mr. Snyder was often referred to as "The World's Most Scientific Wrestler," and was particularly known for pioneering the abdominal stretch.

Diplomacy
Canada recognized the independent statehood of 11 member republics of the former U.S.S.R.; Canada had recognized Ukraine on December 2.

Politics and government
As the U.S.S.R. was dissolving, Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev announced his resignation.

Football
NCAA
Blue-Gray Game @ Cramton Bowl, Montgomery, Alabama
Gray 20 Blue 12

25 years ago
1996

Died on this date
Bill Hewitt, 68. Canadian sportscaster. Mr. Hewitt, the son of legendary hockey broadcaster Foster Hewitt, began working with his father on Hockey Night in Canada broadcasts in the mid-1950s, and eventually succeeded Foster Hewitt as the television voice of the Toronto Maple Leafs, retiring in 1981. Bill Hewitt died of heart failure 17 days after his 68th birthday.

Football
NCAA
Blue-Gray Game @ Cramton Bowl, Montgomery, Alabama
Blue 44 Gray 34

20 years ago
2001

Baseball
Outfielder Hideki Matsui became the highest-paid player in Japanese baseball when he signed a contract with the Yomiuri Giants for the equivalent of U.S.$4.7 million.

Football
NCAA
Blue-Gray Game @ Cramton Bowl, Montgomery, Alabama
Blue 28 Gray 10

December 24, 2021

Born on this date
Happy Birthday, Hilary Hahn!

260 years ago
1761

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

175 years ago
1846

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

170 years ago
1851

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

150 years ago
1871

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

140 years ago
1881

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

130 years ago
1891

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

100 years ago
1921

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

80 years ago
1941

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

75 years ago
1946

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

70 years ago
1951

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

60 years ago
1961

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

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



50 years ago
1971

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

40 years ago
1981

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

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

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

25 years ago
1996

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

20 years ago
2001

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

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

10 years ago
2011

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

December 23, 2021

250 years ago
1771

Died on this date
Marie-Marguerite d'Youville, 70. Canadian nun. Mrs. d'Youville, a native of Varennes, Quebec, was a widow who suffered the death of her husband and four of her six children before the age of 30, but experienced a religious revival, and in 1737 with three other women founded an association that ministered to the poor in Montreal. The association became the Roman Catholic order The Sisters of Charity of Montreal--popularly known as the Grey Nuns--in 1744, and was granted an order in 1747 to operate Montreal General Hospital. Mrs. d'Youville died in Montreal, and was canonized in 1990 by Pope John Paul II.

125 years ago
1896

Born on this date
Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa. Italian nobleman and author. Don Giuseppe Tomasi, the last Prince of Lampedusa, served with the Italian Army in World War I, and was an Austro-Hungarian prisoner of war; he inherited his title upon the death of his father in 1934. Don Giuseppe Tomasi died of lung cancer on July 23, 1957 at the age of 60, but didn't become widely known until the posthumous publication of his novel Il Gattopardo (The Leopard) (1958), which was made into a movie in 1963.

110 years ago
1911

Born on this date
Niels Kaj Jerne. U.K.-born Danish immunologist. Dr. Jerne, whose Danish parents moved to London the year before his birth, moved to the Netherlands with his family in 1914, and eventually settled in Denmark. He shared the 1984 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Georges J.F. Köhler and César Milstein "for theories concerning the specificity in development and control of the immune system and the discovery of the principle for production of monoclonal antibodies." Dr. Jerne died on October 7, 1994 at the age of 82.

James Gregory. U.S. actor. Mr. Gregory was a character actor on stage, screen, and television in a career spanning more than 45 years. He was known for his gravelly voice and playing detectives, and starred as New York Police Detective Barney Ruditsky in the television series The Lawless Years (1959-1961), and Inspector Frank Luger in the comedy series Barney Miller (1975-1982). Mr. Gregory's best-known movie role was probably as the Joe McCarthy-like Senator Johnny Iselin in The Manchurian Candidate (1962). He died on September 16, 2002 at the age of 90.

90 years ago
1931

Died on this date
Wilson Bentley, 66. U.S. meteorologist and photographer. "Snowflake" Bentley, a lifelong resident of Jericho, Vermont, was the first known person to take detailed photographs of snowflakes and record their features, catching flakes on black velvet in such a way that their images could be captured before they either melted or sublimated. He took the first of more than 5,000 photos of snowflakes in 1885. Mr. Bentley died of pneumonia.

80 years ago
1941

War
At a joint press conference in Washington with U.K. Prime Minister Winston Churchill, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt announced that their meetings were being devoted to the immediate question of achieving complete unanimity of action in the Pacific. The first meeting of the U.S.-U.K. War Council was held in the White House. The U.S. oil tanker SS Montebello was sunk by Japanese submarine I-21 off the coast of California; 33 survivors were rescued. After 15 days of fighting, the Imperial Japanese Army occupied Wake Island. Japanese planes carried out a heavy raid on Rangoon. The Battle of Lingayen continued "with increasing intensity" on Luzon. The British command announced that Imperial forces in Libya reached the coastal plain of the Gulf of Sidra south of Bengazi the previous day.

Politics and government
Chinese Prime Minister Chiang Kai-shek appointed T.V. Soong as Foreign Minister.

Crime
A U.S. federal grand jury in Washington indicted aviatrix Laura Ingalls on a charge of failing to register as a German agent.

Religion
Pope Pius XII authorized Roman Catholic bishops throughout the world to permit Catholics in their dioceses to eat meat on Fridays and omit certain fast days for the duration of World War II.

Labour
U.S. President Roosevelt accepted a three-point war labour peace plan agreed upon by the 24-man labour-industry conference board in Washington. The plan called for "no strikes or lockouts;" settlement of all disputes "by peaceful means;" and establishment of "a proper War Labor Board to handle these disputes."

70 years ago
1946

Hit parade
U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 Ole Buttermilk Sky--Kay Kyser and his Orchestra (vocal chorus by Michael Douglas and the Campus Kids) (2nd week at #1)
--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--Swing and Sway with Sammy Kaye (Vocal refrain by Billy Williams and Choir)
--Kay Kyser and his Orchestra
--Hal Derwin
4 (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons--King Cole Trio
--Eddy Howard and his Orchestra
5 The Whole World is Singing My Song--Les Brown and his Orchestra
6 This is Always--Harry James and his Orchestra
--Jo Stafford
7 The Things We Did Last Summer--Frank Sinatra
--Vaughn Monroe and his Orchestra
8 Five Minutes More--Frank Sinatra
--Tex Beneke and the Glenn Miller Orchestra
--The Three Suns
9 Huggin' and Chalkin'--Hoagy Carmichael
--Johnny Mercer
--Kay Kyser and his Orchestra
10 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

Singles entering the chart were Years and Years Ago by Les Brown and his Orchestra (#26) and Hoodle-Addle by the Ray McKinley Quartet (#28).

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

Diplomacy
The United Kingdom rejected a Soviet request for a "further exchange of views" on control of the Dardanelles.

Defense
U.S. President Harry Truman set up a three-man board to review the cases of draft violators and make recommendations for executive clemency.

Politics and government
French Prime Minister Leon Blum reiterated France's recognition of Vietnam's independence within the French Union, but insisted that order be restored before negotiations could begin on the composition of the Vietnamese government.

Crime
Three men were indicted in Atlanta for arson in the December 7, 1946 fire at the Winecoff Hotel, in which 119 people perished.

Law
The U.S. Supreme Court refused to review a suit on the constitutionality of Tennessee's poll tax on the grounds that Congress had jurisdiction in such matters.

Religion
The U.S. Supreme Court ordered new trials for two Jehovah's Witnesses sentenced to five years in prison as conscientious objectors, stating that they were not allowed to challenge draft classifications which barred their deferment as ministers.

Health
The U.S. Office of Temporary Controls dropped distribution control of penicillin.

Agriculture
The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization reported that a food crisis still confronted the world, with food production still below pre-World War II levels.

Economics and finance
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that collection of federal social security taxes from bankrupt companies had priority over state taxes.

General Lucius Clay, deputy U.S. military governor in Germany, protested a French decision to set up a customs barrier between the Saar and the rest of Germany.

The U.K. announced that it would send a Treasury delegation to India to negotiate the settlement of India's wartime debt of $5.2 billion.

Sport
An Associated Press poll of sportswriters named Babe Didrikson Zaharias as the outstanding female athlete of 1946 in the United States.

70 years ago
1951

On television tonight
Out There, on CBS
Tonight's episode: The Man, starring Florence Anglin, Philip Bourneuf, and Stewart Bradley

World events
A Hungarian military court imposed fines totalling $120,000 on four U.S. fliers shot down in November in a C-47 transport plane.

Bolivia exiled 15 right-wing extremists arrested for participating in a recent revolutionary plot.

Labour
Hungary denied a British Broadcasting Corporation report that 80 Hungarian coal miners had been shot for organizing a work slowdown in the Tatabanya mines.

Football
NFL
Championship
Cleveland 17 @ Los Angeles 24

Just 25 seconds after Ken Carpenter's 5-yard touchdown rush, converted by Lou Groza, had brought the Browns into a 17-17 tie midway through the 4th quarter, Rams' quarterback Norm Van Brocklin completed a 73-yard touchdown pass to Tom Fears, converted by Bob Waterfield, to provide the winning margin before 59,475 fans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. After a scoreless 1st quarter, Dick Hoerner of the Rams opened the scoring in the 2nd quarter with a 1-yard touchdown rush, converted by Mr. Waterfield. Mr. Groza got Cleveland on the scoreboard with a 52-yard field goal, a record length for an NFL championship game. The Browns took a 10-7 halftime lead on a 17-yard touchdown pass from Otto Graham to Dub Jones, converted by Mr. Groza. In the 3rd quarter, Mr. Graham fumbled when hit by the Rams' Larry Brink, and Andy Robustelli returned the ball from the Cleveland 24-yard line to the 2. Three plays later, Dan Towler rushed 1 yard for a touchdown, and Mr. Waterfield's convert gave Los Angeles a 14-10 lead going into the 4th quarter. The lead became 17-10 when Mr. Waterfield kicked a 17-yard field goal. It was the first NFL championship game to be televised from coast-to-coast in the United States. It was broadcast on the DuMont network (which had paid $95,000 to the NFL for the rights), with Harry Wismer and Earl Gillespie as the announcers.



60 years ago
1961

Hit parade
#1 single in Australia (Kent Music Report): My Boomerang Won't Come Back--Charlie Drake (3rd week at #1)

#1 single in Italy: La ballata della tromba--Nini Rosso

#1 single in West Germany (Media Control): Weiße Rosen aus Athen--Nana Mouskouri (10th week at #1)

#1 single in the Netherlands (Dutch Top 40): I'm Gonna Knock on Your Door--Eddie Hodges (2nd week at #1)

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

U.S.A. Top 10 (Cash Box)
1 The Lion Sleeps Tonight--The Tokens (3rd week at #1)
2 Please Mr. Postman--The Marvelettes
3 Walk on By--Leroy Van Dyke
4 Run to Him--Bobby Vee
5 The Twist--Chubby Checker
6 Goodbye Cruel World--James Darren
7 Can't Help Falling in Love--Elvis Presley
8 Peppermint Twist - Part I--Joey Dee & the Starliters
9 Moon River--Jerry Butler
--Henry Mancini, his Orchestra and Chorus
10 Let There Be Drums--Sandy Nelson

Singles entering the chart were Irresistible You (#76)/Multiplication (#80) by Bobby Darin; Pocketful of Miracles by Frank Sinatra (#92); Do-Re-Mi by Lee Dorsey (#93); and But on the Other Hand Baby by Ray Charles and his Orchestra (#100).

Vancouver's Top 10 (CFUN)
1 Norman--Sue Thompson
2 The Wanderer--Dion
3 The Twist--Chubby Checker
4 Walkin' with My Angel--Bobby Vee
5 Run to Him--Bobby Vee
6 Hey! Little Girl--Del Shannon
7 Jingle Bell Rock--Bobby Helms
--Bobby Rydell/Chubby Checker
8 Peppermint Twist--Joey Dee & the Starliters
--Danny Peppermint and the Jumping Jacks
9 The Lion Sleeps Tonight--The Tokens
10 Walkin' Back to Happiness--Helen Shapiro

Singles entering the chart were Dear Ivan by Jimmy Dean (#16); Percolator (Twist) by Billy Joe & the Checkmates (#32); Well I'm Your Man by Johnny Tillotson (#40); Lucky Star by Gene Vincent (#44); and What are You Doing New Year's Eve by Dante and the Evergreens (#50). Well I'm Your Man was the B-side of Dreamy Eyes, charting at #27.

Vancouver's Top 10 (CKWX)
1 The Twist--Chubby Checker (2nd week at #1)
2 The Wanderer/The Majestic--Dion
3 Peppermint Twist--Joey Dee & the Starliters
4 Walkin' with My Angel/Run to Him--Bobby Vee
5 Six White Boomers--Rolf Harris
6 The Lion Sleeps Tonight--The Tokens
7 Norman--Sue Thompson
8 Jingle Bell Rock--Bobby Rydell/Chubby Checker
--Bobby Helms
9 Gypsy Rover--The Highwaymen
10 Multiplication--Bobby Darin

Singles entering the chart were Memories of Maria by Jerry Byrd and his Guitar (#19); Dear Ivan by Jimmy Dean (#26); Walkin' Back to Happiness by Helen Shapiro (#28); Percolator (Twist) by Billy Joe & the Checkmates (#30); Let Me Down Easy by the Glaser Brothers (#33); Just a Little Bit Sweet by Charlie Rich (#38); Milk and Honey by Eddie Fisher (#39); and Love is the Sweetest Thing by Saverio Saridis (#40).

Died on this date
Carolyn Sherwin Bailey, 86. U.S. authoress. Miss Bailey wrote short stories and novels for children in a career spanning more than 40 years. Her novel Miss Hickory (1946) was awarded the 1947 Newbery Medal for excellence in American children's literature.

Kurt Meyer, 51. German SS officer. SS-Brigadeführer Meyer joined the Nazi Party in September 1930, and joined the SS in October 1931. He participated in numerous campaigns in World War II, and several times ordered the mass murders of civilians and prisoners of war, receiving a death sentence for ordering the murders of Canadian POWs in the Ardenne Abbey massacre in 1944. SS-Brigadeführer Meyer's sentence was commuted to 14 years, and he was released on good behaviour in 1951. He became active in Hilfsgemeinschaft auf Gegenseitigkeit der Angehörigen der ehemaligen Waffen-SS (HIAG), a lobby group dedicated to rehaibilitating the reputation of the SS. SS-Brigadeführer Meyer suffered from heart and kidney disease in later years, and died on his 51st birthday, after a series of strokes.

50 years ago
1971

Hit parade
#1 single in France (IFOP): Le rire du sergent--Michel Sardou (6th week at #1)

#1 single in Ireland (IRMA): O Holy Night--Tommy Drennan

Died on this date
Glenn Wallichs, 61. U.S. businessman. Mr. Wallichs opened several radio stores and two recording studios in the Los Angeles area before opening Wallichs Music City at the corner of Sunset and Vine in Hollywood in 1940. It became the largest record store in southern California and the world's largest specialty record store. On February 7, 1942, Mr. Wallichs and songwriters Johnny Mercer and Buddy DeSylva founded Capitol Records. Mr. Wallichs left the record store in 1946 in charge of his brother Clyde, and eventually became chairman of Capitol Industries. He died after a long illness.

Politics and government
Nationalist China's governing Kuomintang announced that the first national elections since 1947 would be held in May 1972. President Chiang Kai-shek had always refused to hold elections pending his government's return to mainland China, when all Chinese could participate.

Health
U.S. President Richard Nixon signed a bill to implement a much-expanded research attack on cancer. 137 guests, including many research scientists, were at the White House for the occasion.

Economics and finance
The Canadian Parliament passed the Capital Gains Tax, effective January 1, 1972, Valuation Day.

Quebec Finance Minister Raymond Garneau announced to the National Assembly a provincial tax policy aimed at harmonizing Quebec's tax laws with those of Canada.

40 years ago
1981

Politics and government
Historian George Francis Gillman Stanley of Sackville took office as Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick, succeeding Hédard Robichaud.

30 years ago
1991

Hit parade
#1 single in Japan (Oricon Singles Chart): Piece of My Wish--Miki Imai (3rd week at #1)

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

#1 single in Germany (Media Control): Let's Talk About Sex--Salt-N-Pepa (6th week at #1)

Politics and government
A Gallup Poll reported that support for sovereignty-association in Québec has dropped to 47% from 61% in May 1990.

Business
Toronto-based Grafton-Fraser announced its intention to close 221 Jack Fraser, George Richards, Grafton & Co, Madison, and Bimini stores, eliminating 1,700 full-time and part-time jobs.

25 years ago
1996

Hit parade
#1 single in Spain (PROMUSICAE): Child--Mark Owen (4th week at #1)

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

#1 single in Germany (Media Control): Time to Say Goodbye--Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman (2nd week at #1)

#1 single in Canada (RPM): Head Over Feet--Alanis Morissette (6th week at #1)

20 years ago
2001

Died on this date
Bola Ige, 71. Nigerian politician. Mr. Ige, a Yoruba, was a lawyer before entering politics; he was Commissioner for Agriculture (1967-1970) in the Western Region of Nigeria in the military government of General Yakubu Gowon. Mr. Ige joined the Unity Party of Nigeria in the late 1970s, and was Governor of Oyo State (1979-1983). He was defeated in his bid for re-election, successfully challenged the result, but was deposed by a coup led by Generals Muhammadu Buhari and Tunde Idiagbon. Mr. Ige was accused of enriching himself with party funds and was detained for two years, but was released in 1985 and resumed his law practice. When democracy was returned to Nigeria in 1999, Mr. Ige returned to politics as a member of the Alliance for Democracy, serving as Nigeria's Minister of Power and Steel (1999-2000) in the government of President Olusegun Obasanjo. He was appointed Minister of Justice and Attorney in January 2000; in November 2001 he declared that the Sokoto State government would not be allowed to enforce the death penalty by stoning against Safiya Hussaini, a woman convicted of adultery. Mr. Ige was entangled in squabbles within the Alliance for Democracy, which resulted in the murder of Osun State legislator Odunayo Olagbaju, the week before Mr. Ige was gunned down at his home in Ibadan. All those charged in Mr. Ige's murder were acquitted.

Politics and government
Adolfo Rodriguez Saa was sworn in as interim President of Argentina, and immediately announced the suspension of payment on the external debt in the biggest debt default in history.

10 years ago
2011

Died on this date
Bill Hall, 65. U.S. broadcaster. Mr. Hall was a weatherman and anchorman with Nashville television station WSMV from 1974-2005.