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