Author: gil7

Historical Events

1356 – Edward Balliol abdicates as King of Scots
1919 – International Lawn Tennis Challenge, Double Bay, Sydney: Gerald Patterson beats Algernon Kingscote 6-4, 6-4, 8-6 to retain title for Australasia over the Great Britain, 3-1; ends 4-1
1968 – US female Figure Skating championship won by Peggy Fleming
1990 – Black January – crackdown of Azerbaijani pro-independence demonstrations by Soviet army in Baku
2013 – AFC Championship, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough: Baltimore Ravens beat New England Patriots, 28-13
2017 – Donald Trump is inaugurated as the 45th President of the United States of America and Mike Pence as the 48th Vice President

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Famous Birthdays

1880 – Walter W. Bacon, American politician (d. 1962)
1907 – Paula Wessely, Austrian actress and producer (Masquerade), born in Vienna, Austria-Hungary (d. 2000)
1952 – Patrick Smith, Australian sports journalist (The Age, The Australian, SEN; Walkley Award 1997, 2002, 04), born in Melbourne, Australia (d. 2023)
1955 – Hiromi Ōta, Japanese pop singer (Momen no handkerchief), born in Kasukabe, Saitama Prefecture, Japan
1956 – Maria Larsson, Swedish politician, born in Långasjö, Sweden
1975 – Kati Agócs, American-Canadian composer (The Debrecen Passion), and educator (New England Conservatory), born in Windsor. Ontario

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Famous Deaths

1707 – Humphrey Hody, English theologian (b. 1659)
1936 – George V, King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India (1910-36), dies at 70 after being euthanized by his doctor
1979 – Gustav Winckler, Danish pop singer (“Skibet skal sejle i nat”- “The Ship Is Leaving Tonight”), dies in a car crash at 53
1994 – Aar van de Werfhorst [pseudonym for Pieter Gerhardus Jansen], Dutch writer, dies at 87
2007 – Anatol Rapoport, Ukrainian-American mathematician and biologist (game theory), dies at 95
2018 – John Coleman, American journalist, co-founder of The Weather Channel and broadcaster (1953-2014), dies at 83

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Historical Events

1511 – Italian city Mirandola surrenders to the French
1806 – United Kingdom re-occupies the Cape of Good Hope following victory in the Battle of Blaauwberg over French vassal, the Batavian Republic. Establishes British rule in South Africa.
1949 – Cuba recognises Israel.
1966 – British composer Michael Tippett’s cantata “Vision of St Augustine” premieres in London
1994 – -36°F (-38°C) in New Whiteland, Indiana (state record)
2001 – Cult film “Donnie Darko” written and directed by Richard Kelly, starring Jake Gyllenhaal premieres at the Sundance Film Festival

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Famous Birthdays

1848 – Matthew Webb, English long distance swimmer who was first to swim unassisted across the English Channel, born in Dawley, England (d. 1883)
1924 – Jean Francois Revel, French philosopher and author (Ni Marx ni Jesus), born in Marseille, France (d. 2006)
1931 – Ron Packard, American politician (Rep-R-CA, 1983-2001), born in Meridian, Idaho
1936 – Elliott Schwartz, composer, born in New York City
1936 – Ziaur Rahman, Bangladeshi military officer and President of Bangladesh (1977-81), born in Bagbari, Bengal Presidency, British India (d. 1981)
1974 – Walter Jones, American football offensive tackle (Seattle Seahawks), born in Aliceville, Alabama

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Famous Deaths

1647 – Johan van Beverwijck, Dutch physician (Treas of Ongesontheyt), dies at 52
1956 – Charles Dingle, American actor (The Little Foxes), dies at 68
1969 – Alcide “Slow Drag” Pavageau, American jazz guitarist and double-bassist, dies at 80
1970 – Hal March [Harold Mendelson], American comedian, actor and TV host ($64,000 Question; Outrage), dies of lung cancer at 49
1997 – Adriana Caselotti, voice of Snow White in Disney’s animated film, dies at 70
2008 – Suzanne Pleshette, American actress (The Birds; The Bob Newhart Show – “Emily”), dies at 70

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Historical Events

1908 – Frederick Delius’ “Brigg Fair” premieres in London
1915 – Train crashes at Colima-Guadalajara Mexico, about 600 die
1992 – Comedian Pat McCormick injured in a car accident
1992 – 43rd NHL All-Star Game, Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA: Campbell beats Wales, 10-6; MVP: Brett Hull, St. Louis, RW
2001 – New York’s Mike Richter picks up his 267th career NHL win to become the winningest goaltender in team history; passes Ed Giacomin; Rangers beat the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs, 2-1 in overtime
2004 – NFC Championship, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia: Carolina Panthers beat Philadelphia Eagles, 14-3

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Famous Birthdays

1903 – Berthold Goldschmidt, German-British opera composer (Beatrice Cenci), born in Hamburg, German Empire (d. 1996)
1919 – Juan Antonio Orrego-Salas, Chilean composer, born in Santiago, Chile (d. 2019)
1962 – Dito, Portuguese soccer defender (17 caps; Braga, Benfica, Vitória Setúbal) and manager (Portimonense, Moreirense), born in Barcelos, Portugal (d. 2020)
1964 – Jane Horrocks, British actress (Little Voice, Corpse Bride, Absolutely Fabulous), born in Rossendale Valley, Lancashire, England
1979 – Leo Varadkar, Irish politician (Prime Minister, 2017-), born in Dublin, Ireland
1986 – Eugene Lee Yang, American filmmaker and internet personality (Buzzfeed, The Try Guys), born in Waco, Texas

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Famous Deaths

1677 – Jan van Riebeeck, Dutch founder of Cape Colony (Cape Town), dies at 57
1859 – Alfred Vail, American inventor and early telegraph pioneer, dies at 51
1954 – Sydney Greenstreet, British actor (Casablanca, Maltese Falcon), dies at 74
1978 – Walter H. Thompson, English Scotland Yard detective, bodyguard of Winston Churchill, dies of cancer at 77
1996 – Leonor Fini, Argentine artist, dies at 87
2021 – Perry Botkin Jr, American arranger, composer (“Nadia’s Theme”), and producer (Incredible Bongo Band), dies at 87

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Historical Events

1893 – Franco-Russian Alliance is signed
1971 – At a party conference in Dublin, Sinn Féin end their 65 year abstentionist policy and agree that any elected representative could take their seat at the Dáil
1973 – New Philippine constitution names Marcos president for life
1983 – 10th American Music Awards: John Cougar, Rick Springfield, and Olivia Newton-John win
1986 – 2nd Sundance Film Festival: “Smooth Talk” wins Grand Jury Prize Dramatic
1995 – Australia beat Australia A 2-0 to win cricket’s World Series Cup

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Famous Birthdays

1867 – Carl Laemmle, German-born film executive (d. 1939)
1927 – Eartha Kitt, American singer (Santa Baby), dancer, activist, and actress (Batman – “Catwoman”), born in North, South Carolina (d. 2008)
1934 – Sydney Hodkinson, Canadian-American classical composer and educator (Eastman School, 1973-99), born in Winnipeg, Manitoba (d. 2021)
1954 – Susan Kiefel, Australian lawyer and judge, born in Cairns, Australia
1959 – Susanna Hoffs, American actress and musician (Bangles-Walk Like an Egyptian), born in Los Angeles, California
1982 – Alex Varkatzas, American heavy metal singer (Atreyu), born in Orange County, California

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Famous Deaths

1661 – Andres Malong, Philippines rebel leader, executed
1933 – John Hodges, Australian cricket fast bowler (2 Tests [first 2 played], 6 wickets; Victoria), dies at 77
1996 – Giles Playfair, English writer, dies at 85
2008 – Rod Allen [Bainbridge] British pop-rock singer and bassist (Fortunes – “You’ve Got Your Troubles”; “Here It Comes Again”), dies of cancer at 63
2010 – Jyoti Basu, Indian Communist politician, dies at 95
2016 – Dale “Buffin” Griffin, English rock drummer (Mott The Hoople – “All Young Dudes”), and producer (BBC’s John Peel sessions), dies from complications of Alzheimer’s disease at 67

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