1925 – 1st East-West Shrine Bowl game of college football ‘all-stars’ played before 25,000 fans at Ewing Park, San Francisco. Proceeds continue to benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children.
1940 – JA Fields/J Chodorov’s “My Sister Eileen,” premieres in NYC
1954 – “The Shadow” airs for last time on radio
1968 – Bruin Ted Green sets NHL penalty record of 3 minors, 2 majors and 2 game misconducts in a game against NY Rangers in NY’s Madison Square Garden
1968 – Led Zeppelin’s concert debut in Denver as opener for Vanilla Fudge
1972 – Ballon d’Or: Bayern Munich defender Franz Beckenbauer wins award for best European football player ahead of tied fellow German duo of Gerd Müller and Günter Netzer
1973 – Horror film “The Exorcist” based on book and screenplay by William Peter Blatty, starring Linda Blair, rated X, premieres – 1st horror film to be nominated for Best Picture
1975 – Crowd of 85,661 attend the 1st day of the Australia vs West Indies MCG cricket test
1991 – Gun of Jack Ruby, killer of Lee Harvey Oswald, sells for $220,000 at auction
2003 – A magnitude 6.6 earthquake devastates southeast Iranian city of Bam, killing tens of thousands and destroying the citadel of Arg-é Bam.
Author: gil7
Today in History for 26th December 2023
Historical Events
1854 – Treaty of Medicine Creek signed by Nisqually, Puyallup and Coast Salish peoples with Isaac Ingalls Stevens, Governor of Washington Territory, giving up 2.5 million acres to preserve fishing and gathering rights
1870 – The 12.8-km long Fréjus Rail Tunnel through the Alps is completed.
1954 – National Football League Championship, Cleveland Municipal Stadium: Cleveland Browns thrash Detroit Lions, 56-10; Browns’ placekicker Lou Groza makes 8 extra points, a new title game record
1962 – Dmitri Shostakovich’s opera “Katerina Ismailova” premieres in Moscow
1967 – Ballon d’Or: Ferencváros forward Flórián Albert wins award for best European football player ahead of Manchester United midfielder Bobby Charlton and Celtic winger Jimmy Johnstone
1968 – Bruin Ted Green sets NHL penalty record of 3 minors, 2 majors and 2 game misconducts in a game against NY Rangers in NY’s Madison Square Garden
Famous Birthdays
1935 – Gnassingbé Eyadéma, General and President of Togo (1967-2005), born in Kozah, Togo (d. 2005)
1942 – Antonio Juliano, Italian soccer midfielder (13 caps; Napoli 394 games, Bologna), born in Naples, Italy (d. 2023)
1966 – Rickey Dixon, American College Football Hall of Fame cornerback (Jim Thorpe Award 1987; Oklahoma Sooners; Cincinnati Bengals, LA Raiders), born in Dallas, Texas (d. 2020)
1970 – Krissada Terrence, Thai-American pop singer and actor, born in Thailand
1974 – Tiffany Brissette, American actress (Vicki-Small Wonder), born in Paradise, California
1986 – Kit Harington [Christopher Catesby Harington], English actor (Game of Thrones), born in London, England
Famous Deaths
1837 – Martinus van Marum, Dutch physician and inventor (constructed largest electrostatic machine in the world), dies at 87
1916 – Bernhard Scholz, composer, dies at 81
1965 – Nico Donkersloot, Dutch literary and writer, dies at 63
1985 – Dian Fossey, American zoologist (Gorillas in the Mist), murdered in Rwanda at 53
2016 – George S. Irving [Shelasky], American broadway singer and actor (Dumplings), dies at 94
2020 – Jim McLean, Scottish soccer forward (Hamilton Academical, Clyde, Dundee) and manager (Dundee United 1971-93), dies from dementia at 83
Famous Deaths for 25th December 2023
1875 – Young Tom Morris, Scottish golfer (British Open 1868-70, 72), dies of pulmonary haemorrhage at 24
1936 – Pierre Maurice, Swiss composer, dies at 68
1950 – Neil Francis Hawkins, British fascist (b. 1903)
1977 – Charlie Chaplin, British actor and comedian (Modern Times, The Kid), dies in Switzerland at 88
1989 – Billy Martin, American baseball 2nd baseman (MLB All Star 1956; World Series 1951, 52, 53, 56; NY Yankees) and manager (World Series 1977 NY Yankees), killed in a car accident at 61
1995 – Dean Martin [Dino Paul Crocetti], American singer (“That’s Amore”; “Everybody Loves Somebody”; “Sway”), comedian and actor (Martin and Lewis, The Dean Martin Show), dies of throat cancer at 78
1996 – Rupert John, gov-gen of Grenadines (1970-76), dies
2011 – Israel Baker, American concert and session violinist (NBC Symphony; Paramount Studios Orchestra), dies at 92
2014 – Geoff Pullar, English cricket batsman (28 Tests, 4 x 100s, HS 175; Lancashire CCC, Gloucestershire CCC), dies at 79
2014 – Mary Lyon, English geneticist (X-chromosome inactivation), dies at 89
Historical Events for 25th December 2023
1194 – Holy Roman Emperor Henry VI crowned King of Sicily in Palermo Cathedral
1553 – Battle of Tucapel: Mapuche rebels under Lautaro defeats the Spanish conquistadors and exetutes the governor of Chile Pedro de Valdivia.
1818 – 1st known Christmas carol (“Silent Night, Holy Night” – “Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht) sung (Austria)
1900 – Arthur Schnitzler’s novel “Leutnant Gustl” (“None But The Brave”) banned in Germany due to its unflattering portrait of military protocol
1911 – Edward Knoblock’s “Kismet” premieres in NYC
1923 – Imperial Theater opens at 249 W 45th St NYC
1951 – West Indies wrap up 6 wicket defeat of Australia on first Christmas Day of Test cricket, the 3rd day of 3rd Test at the Adelaide Oval
1973 – Arab oil ministers cancel January 5 percent production cut; Saudi Arabian oil minister promises 10 percent OPEC production rise
1979 – Ballon d’Or: Hamburg’s English forward Kevin Keegan wins his 2nd consecutive trophy as best football player in Europe; beats Bayern Munich forward Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Ajax sweeper Ruud Krol
1994 – “Comedy Tonight” closes at Lunt-Fontanne Theater NYC after 8 performances
Today in History for 25th December 2023
Historical Events
1776 – American Revolutionary War: George Washington crosses the Delaware River into New Jersey, surprises and defeats 1,400 Hessians
1900 – Arthur Schnitzler’s novel “Leutnant Gustl” (“None But The Brave”) banned in Germany due to its unflattering portrait of military protocol
1931 – Albert Lonergan scores 137 SA v Qld at Adelaide before 5,697
1959 – Bishop Karol Wojtyla (future Pope John Paul II) celebrates outdoor Mass at midnight of Christmas morning to demonstrate the need for a Catholic church in the community of Nowa Huta
1983 – 1st live telecast of Christmas Parade at the EPCOT Centre, Disney World Florida
1987 – Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, who escaped 2 days earlier, recaptured
Famous Birthdays
1856 – James “Pud” Galvin, American Baseball HOF pitcher (MLB’s first 300-game winner; no-hitters 1880, 84; Buffalo Bisons), born in St. Louis, Missouri (d. 1902)
1893 – Bert Bertram, Australian actor (How to Steal a Million, Shamus), born in Peterborough, Australia (d. 1991)
1928 – Harry Klein, English jazz saxophonist, born in London, United Kingdom (d. 2010)
1928 – Irish McCalla, American actress and artist (Sheena Queen of Jungle), born in Pawnee City, Nebraska (d. 2002)
1941 – Ronald Perera, American contemporary classical composer, born in Boston, Massachusetts
1965 – Dmitri Mironov, Russian ice hockey defenseman (Olympic gold 1992; NHL All Star 1997-98; Stanley Cup 1998 Detroit RWs, Toronto Maple Leafs, Pittsburgh Penguins), born in Moscow, Russia
Famous Deaths
1249 – Peter Nolascus, Spanish monastery founder/St, dies
1406 – Henry III, King of Castile and León (1390-1406), dies at 27
1765 – Antonio Tonelli, Italian cellist and composer, dies at 79
1954 – Johnny Ace, American rhythm and blues singer, accidentally shoots himself in the head at 25
1992 – Garrison H Davidson, US lt-gen commandant (West Point), dies
2021 – Tifini Hale, American pop singer (Party – “Rodeo”; “That’s Why”), dies of cardiac arrest at 46
Famous Deaths for 24th December 2023
1909 – Nicolaas Pierson, Dutch economist and politician (Prime Minister of the Netherlands 1897-1901), dies at 80
1932 – Eyvind Alnæs, Norwegian pianist, organist, choral director, and composer, dies at 60
1975 – Tilly Losch, Austrian dancer and actress (Duel in the Sun; Garden of Allah), dies at about 71 (birth date disputed)
1976 – Duarte Nuno, Duke of Braganza, unfulfilled claimant to the throne of Portugal, dies at 69
1979 – Rudi [Rudolf] Dutschke, German student leader, dies at 39
1986 – Gardner Fox, American sci-fi author (Atom; Hawkman; Zatanna), dies at 75
1992 – Peyo [Pierre Culliford], Belgian cartoonist (The Smurfs; Johan et Pirlouit), dies of a heart attack at 64
2013 – Frédéric Back, German-born Canadian short film director and screenwriter (The Man Who Planted Trees), dies at 89
2016 – Richard Adams, English author (Watership Down), dies at 96
2021 – Willibert Kremer, German soccer coach (MSV Duisburg, Bayer Leverkusen, 1860 Munich, Fortuna Düsseldorf), dies at 82
Historical Events for 24th December 2023
1777 – James Cook is first European to visit Kiritimati, also called Christmas Island
1798 – Russia and Britain sign Second anti-French Coalition
1921 – Ottawa’s Harry Broadbent scores in 10-0 Senators blowout of the Montreal Canadiens; first in 16-game NHL record goal-scoring streak; Charlie Simmer’s 13 game streak (1979) is considered modern-day record
1943 – US President FDR appoints General Eisenhower Supreme Commander of the Allied forces
1948 – First US completely solar heated house is occupied (Dover, Mass)
1954 – Laos gains its independence
1960 – Dutch bishops question papacy values
1966 – USAF C144 military charter aircraft crashes near Binh Thai, Vietnam, killing 129
1977 – “Ghost to the Post”, Raiders tight end Dave Casper (“The Ghost”) catches a 42-yard reception to set up the Raiders’ tying field goal near the end of regulation (Raiders win in OT)
2000 – The Texas 7 hold up a sports store in Irving, Texas. Police officer Aubrey Hawkins is shot during the robbery
Today in History for 24th December 2023
Historical Events
1515 – Thomas Wolsey appointed Lord Chancellor of England
1914 – German plane drops bombs on Dover, England
1941 – First ships of admiral Nagumo’s Pearl Harbor fleet return to Japan
1953 – Wellington-Auckland (NZ) express train swept away in flood kills 166
1997 – The Dominican Republic becomes a member of the Berne Convention copyright treaty
1999 – Opening of St Peter’s Holy Door by Pope John Paul II in approach of 3rd millennium
Famous Birthdays
1880 – Johnny Gruelle, American cartoonist, children’s book writer and creator of Raggedy Ann, born in Arcola, Illinois (d. 1939)
1910 – William “Bill” Pickering, NASA scientist (JPL), born in Wellington, New Zealand (d. 2004)
1931 – Jill Bennett, British actress (Lady Jane, Concrete Jungle), born in Penang, Straits Settlements (d. 1990)
1946 – Brenda Howard, American bisexual activist, born in The Bronx, New York City (d. 2005)
1967 – Mikhail Shchennikov, Russian race walker, born in Yekaterinburg, Russia
1968 – Joe Scuderi, Australian cricketer (South Australian all-rounder), born in Ingham, Australia
Famous Deaths
1707 – Noel Coypel, French painter, dies at 78
1926 – Johan Castberg, Norwegian politician (Castbergian Child Laws protecting extra-martial children), dies at 64
1941 – Siegfried Alkan, German composer, dies at 83
1955 – Nana Bryant, American stage and screen actress (Ladies of the Chorus; Harvey; Brewster’s Millions), dies at 67
1994 – Buddy Ace, [Jimmie Lee Land] American Texas blues singer, dies of a heart attack while performing at 57
2006 – Braguinha [Carlos Alberto Ferreira Braga], Brazilian songwriter, dies at 99
Famous Deaths for 23rd December 2023
1116 – Ivo van Chartres, French canonist/bishop of Chartres/saint, dies
1236 – Philippus Cancellarius, French theologist/poet (Summa Cum Laude), dies
1891 – Holger Simon Paulli, Danish conductor and composer, dies at 81
1946 – John A. Sampson, American gynecologist (b. 1873)
1950 – Vincenzo Tommasini, Italian composer (Le donne de buon umore), dies at 72
1961 – Kurt Meyer, German SS officer (b. 1910)
1990 – Frank King, West Indian cricketer (WI fast bowler played 14 Tests 1953-56), dies at 64
1995 – Patric Knowles [Reginald Lawrence Knowles], British actor (Chisum, Arnold, Mutiny), dies from a brain hemorrhage at 84
1996 – Krešimir Fribec, Croatian composer, dies at 88
2018 – (Ann) “Honey” Lantree, British rock drummer (The Honeycombs), dies at 75
Historical Events for 23rd December 2023
619 – Boniface V begins his reign as Catholic Pope
1724 – Emperor Charles VI names Archduchess Maria Elisabeth of Austria land guardian of the Austrian Netherlands
1834 – Joseph Hansom of London receives patent for Hansom cabs
1912 – 1st “Keystone Kops” film, entitled “Hoffmeyer’s Legacy”
1921 – Gangster Carlo Gambino enters the United States as an illegal immigrant on the SS Vincenzo Florio
1946 – University of Tennessee refuses to play Duquesne University after they suggested they may use a black player in their basketball game
1952 – Alain Bombard arrives in Barbados after 65 days at sea proving his theory that a shipwrecked person could survive with almost no provisions, despite having lost 25 kg (65 lbs) in weight
1960 – Jan De Quay’s Dutch government falls
1960 – King Saud of Saudi Arabia takes power
1975 – US Congress passes Metric Conversion Act