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
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
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