Category: On This Day

Historical Events

630 – Prophet Muhammad sets out with an army 10,000 strong to conquer Mecca
1840 – 1st recorded bowling match in US, Knickerbocker Alleys, NYC
1893 – The railway line from Germiston to Pretoria, South Africa, is opened to traffic
1946 – Emperor Hirohito of Japan announces he is not a god
1984 – NYC transit fare rises from 75 cents to 90 cents
2003 – 89th Rose Bowl: #8 Oklahoma beats #7 Washington State, 34-14

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Famous Birthdays

1600 – Friedrich Spanheim, Dutch theologian (d. 1649)
1622 – Isaac Sweers, Dutch fleet admiral, born in Nijmegen, Dutch Republic (d. 1673)
1784 – William Beale, English composer and baritone, born in Lankrake, Cornwall (d. 1854)
1876 – Harriet Brooks, Canadian physicist (d. 1933)
1967 – Spencer Tunick, American photographer (large-scale nude installations), born in Middletown, New York
1969 – Christi Paul, American news anchor

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Famous Deaths

874 – Hasan al-Askari, 11th Imam of Twelver Shia Islam, dies at 27
1730 – Daniel Finch, 2nd Earl of Nottingham, English Tory statesman, dies at 82
1923 – Willie Keeler, American Baseball Hall of Fame outfielder (highest career AB-per-strikeout ratio in MLB history; NL batting champion 1897, 98 Baltimore Orioles), dies of tuberculosis at 50
1992 – Constantin Poustochkine, Dutch jazz musician and critic, dies at 81
2011 – Charles Fambrough, American jazz bassist (Jazz Messengers), dies at 60
2020 – Marty Grebb, American rock session and touring keyboardist (The Buckinghams; Bonnie Raitt), dies at 74

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Historical Events

1564 – William I of Orange demands freedom of religious conscience for his subjects in dramatic speech to the Council of State
1904 – First New Year’s Eve celebration held in Times Square, New York City
1944 – World War II: Hungary declares war on Germany.
1951 – 1st battery to convert radioactive energy to electricity announced
1958 – 47th Davis Cup: USA beats Australia in Brisbane (3-2)
1974 – New York Yankees sign Cy Young Award winner Jim “Catfish” Hunter for 5 years for a record $3.75 million from the Oakland A’s

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Famous Birthdays

1870 – Tom Connolly, American Baseball HOF umpire (AL-record 8 x World Series), born in Manchester, England (d. 1961)
1877 – Lawrence Beesley, English journalist and author, born in Wirksworth, United Kingdom (d. 1967)
1939 – Afaq Hussain, Pakistani cricketer (Pakistani off-spinner in 2 Tests 1961-64), born in Lucknow, India (d. 2002)
1947 – Burton Cummings, Canadian rock singer-songwriter, and keyboardist (Guess Who – “These Eyes”), born in Winnipeg, Canada
1948 – René Robert, Canadian ice hockey winger (NHL All Star 1972-73, 74-75; Buffalo Sabres 1st 100 point player 1974-75), born in Trois-Rivières, Quebec (d. 2021)
1964 – Michael McDonald, American actor-comedian, born in St. Louis, Missouri

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Famous Deaths

1880 – Arnold Ruge, German political philosopher and writer, dies at 78
1969 – Salvatore Baccaloni, Italian operatic bass buffo singer (Metropolitan Opera, 1940-62), and actor (Merry Andrew; Rock-a-Bye Baby), dies at 69
1983 – Frank Link, actor (Burns and Schreiber Comedy Show), dies at 46
1991 – Felicja Blumental, Polish-Brazilian concert pianist (Villa-Lobos’ Piano Concerto No. 5; Penderecki’s Partita for Harpsichord), dies at 83
1995 – Eduardo Hernández Moncada, Mexican composer and pianist, dies at 96
2015 – Natalie Cole, American pop vocalist (‘Pink Cadillac”; “Miss You Like Crazy”), dies at 65

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Historical Events

1892 – Dr Miles V Lynk, physician, publishes 1st Black medical journal
1933 – Jack Badcock scores 274 v Victoria, Tasmania’s 1st double-ton
1950 – “Sixty Minute Man” record single released by The Dominoes (Billboard Song of the Year 1951)
1958 – French franc devalued
1980 – Ballon d’Or: Bayern Munich forward Karl-Heinz Rummenigge is named best European football player; beats German international teammate Bernd Schuster of FC Barcelona and Saint-Étienne midfielder Michel Platini
2004 – A fire in the República Cromagnon nightclub in Buenos Aires, Argentina kills 194.

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Famous Birthdays

1934 – Barry Briggs, New Zealand speedway rider (World Champion 1957-58, 64, 66; British Championship 1961, 64-67, 69), born in Christchurch, Canterbury
1945 – Vernon Wells, Australian actor
1945 – John Kevin Moorhouse, test pilot
1959 – Alfie Anido, Filipino model and actor (Temptation Island), born in Calamba, Laguna, Philippines (d. 1981)
1963 – Chandler Burr, American journalist (US New and World Report), author (A Separate Creation; The Emperor of Scent), and museum curator (Department of Scent Art), born in Chicago, Illinois
1984 – LeBron James, American basketball forward (NBA C’ship and MVP 2012, 2013, 2016, 2020; 16 × NBA All-Star; Olympic gold 2008, 12; Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, LA Lakers), born in Akron, Ohio

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Famous Deaths

1944 – Romain Roland, French writer/pacifist (Nobel 1915), dies at 78
1947 – Alfred North Whitehead, British mathematician and philosopher (Adventures of Ideas), dies at 86
1973 – Henri-Paul Busser, composer, dies at 101
1994 – Lloyd James Austin, Australian linguist and literary scholar, dies at 79
2012 – Rita Levi-Montalcini, Italian neurologist (Nobel 1986), dies at 103
2015 – Donald Barron, Scottish accountant and CEO (Midland Bank), dies at 94

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Historical Events

1922 – Dutch Constitution proclaimed
1939 – First flight of the Consolidated B-24 Liberator bomber prototype
1944 – Belgian Walloon Nazi collaborator Léon Degrelle sentenced to death
1968 – AFL Championship, Shea Stadium, NYC: New York Jets beat Oakland Raiders 27-23; Joe Namath 3 TD passes sparks Jets to win
1994 – Bangladesh government of Zia resigns
1997 – Cricket Women’s World Cup: Australia defeats New Zealand by 5 wickets

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Famous Birthdays

1809 – William Ewart Gladstone, British statesman and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (Liberal: 1868-74, 1880-86, 1892-94), born in Liverpool, England (d. 1898)
1936 – Eduard Martsevich, Soviet-Russian actor and People’s Artist of the RSFSR, born in Tbilisi, USSR (d. 2013)
1947 – Vincent Winter, Scottish child actor, born in Aberdeen, United Kingdom (d. 1998)
1963 – Ulf Kristersson, Swedish politician (Prime Minister of Sweden 2022-), born in Lund, Sweden
1977 – Jimmy Journell, American baseball player, born in Springfield, Ohio
1978 – Kieron Dyer, English football player, born in Ipswich, United Kingdom

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Famous Deaths

1919 – William Osler, Canadian physician and author (circulatory system), dies at 70
1982 – Sol C Siegel, American film producer (A Letter To Three Wives, High Society, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes), dies of a heart attack at 79
1995 – Philip Idenburg, Dutch statistician, dies at 94
1996 – Pennar Davies, Welsh poet, author and theologian, dies at 85
2001 – Takashi Asahina, Japanese conductor (b. 1908)
2016 – Chris Cannizzaro, American baseball player, dies at 78

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Historical Events

1816 – American Colonization Society organizes
1904 – 1st daily wireless weather forecasts published (London)
1905 – Intercollegiate Athletic Association of US founded (becomes NCAA in 1910)
1926 – Victoria all out for 1107 against NSW at the MCG Crowd 22,348
1963 – “Jennie” closes at Majestic Theater NYC after 82 performances
2002 – LinkedIn is founded by Reid Hoffman and others in Mountain View, California

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Famous Birthdays

1865 – Félix Vallotton, Swiss-French painter and writer (Chaste Suzanna), born in Lausanne, Switzerland (d. 1925)
1902 – Shen Congwen, Chinese writer (Long River), born in Zhen’gan, Hunan Province (d. 1988)
1929 – Terry Sawchuk, Canadian Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender (4-time Vezina Trophy and Stanley Cup winner), born in Winnipeg, Manitoba (d. 1970)
1942 – Arild Hetleøen, Norwegian soccer central defender (4 caps; SK Brann), born in Bergen, Norway (2023)
1962 – Michel Petrucciani, French jazz pianist (100 Hearts), born in Orange, France (d. 1999)
1972 – Kevin Stitt, American politician, Governor of Oklahoma (2019-), born in Milton, Florida

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Famous Deaths

1663 – Francesco Maria Grimaldi, Italian mathematician and physicist (light defraction), dies at 45
1859 – Thomas Babington Macaulay, English poet (Ivy), historian (The History of England), and politician (British India education reform), dies of a heat attack at 59
1978 – Harry Winston, US jeweler for the “rich and famous”, dies at 82
1984 – Sam Peckinpah, American film director (The Wild Bunch, Straw Dogs), dies of cardiac arrest at 59
1995 – Harold Collison, British trade unionist (agriculture workers), dies at 86
2017 – Recy Taylor, American sexual assault victim, dies at 97

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Historical Events

1862 – Battle of Elizabethtown, Kentucky
1943 – Montgomery discusses Operation Overlord (D-day landings) with Eisenhower and Bedell Smith
1960 – France performs nuclear test
1960 – 1961 NFL Draft: Tommy Mason from University of Tulane first pick by Minnesota Vikings
1974 – Dear Abby show ends run on CBS radio after 11 years
1983 – Ballon d’Or: Juventus’ French midfielder Michel Platini claims first of 3 trophies for Europe’s best football player ahead of Liverpool midfielder Kenny Dalgleish and Vejle BK striker Allan Simonsen

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Famous Birthdays

1748 – William Marshall, Scottish fiddle composer (The Marchioness of Huntly; The Nameless Lassie), music publisher (A Collection of Strathspey Reels), and clockmaker, born in Fochabers, Scotland (d. 1833)
1884 – Bernard van Dieren, Dutch composer (Diaphony; Chinese Symphony), critic, and music writer, born in Rotterdam, Netherlands (d. 1936)
1944 – Mick Jones, English rock guitarist (Foreigner – “I Want to Know What Love Is”), born in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England
1972 – Charles Way, NFL fullback (NY Giants)
1985 – Logan Bailly, Belgian football goalkeeper
1985 – Paul Stastny, Canadian ice hockey center (NHL All-Rookie 2007; NHL All-Star 2011; Colorado Avalanche, St. Louis Blues, Winnipeg Jets, LV Golden Knights), born in Quebec City, Quebec

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Famous Deaths

1812 – Joanna Southcott, an English self-described religious prophetess.
1992 – Cardew “the Cad” [Douglas] Robinson, English comedian (Alfie), dies at 75
1994 – Sadi de Gorter, Dutch author/diplomat (Abscess), dies at 82
1995 – Al Barlick, American Baseball Hall of Fame umpire (7 x World Series; 7 x MLB All Star games), dies at 80
1997 – Anthea Joseph, British music promoter, dies at 57
2020 – José Luiz Carbone, Brazilian soccer midfielder (6 caps; São Paulo, Internacional, Botafogo) and coach (Fluminense, Guarani), dies from liver cancer at 74

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Historical Events

1690 – English astronomer John Flamsteed observes Uranus without realizing it’s undiscovered
1907 – 1st all-steel passengar railroad coach completed, Altoona, Pennsylvania
1921 – Gangster Carlo Gambino enters the United States as an illegal immigrant on the SS Vincenzo Florio
1933 – Dutch communist Marinus van der Lubbe sentenced to death for setting the German Reichstag on fire
1946 – Highest ridership in NYC subway history (8.8 million passengers)
1970 – NYC World Trade Center reaches highest point (411 m)

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Famous Birthdays

1897 – Julien Carette, French actor (Sylvia and the Phantom), born in Paris, France (d. 1966)
1935 – Paul Hornung, American College Football Hall of Fame halfback (Heisman Trophy 1956, Notre Dame; Pro Bowl 1959, 60, Green Bay Packers), born in Louisville, Kentucky
1936 – Claude Albert Coppens, Belgian pianist, born in Schaerbeek, Belgium
1951 – Anthony Phillips, English guitarist (Genesis, 1967-70), born in London, England
1962 – Jerry Reynolds, NBA guard/forward (Milwaukee Bucks), born in French Lick, Indiana
1979 – Kenny Miller, Scottish football player, born in Edinburgh, United Kingdom

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Famous Deaths

1652 – John Cotton, Puritan clergyman in Massachusetts Bay colony, dies at 68
1962 – George Saiko, Austrian writer, dies at 70
1997 – Keith Bentley, English international racing cyclist, dies at 72
2010 – Fred Hargesheimer, American World War II pilot (b. 1916)
2015 – Alfred G. Gilman, American scientist (1994 Nobel Prize for G-protein discoveries), dies at 74
2022 – Txetxu Rojo, Spanish soccer forward (18 caps; Athletic Bilbao 413 games) and manager (Athletic Bilbao, Celta Vigo, Osasuna, Real Zaragoza), dies at 75

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