On This Day [ December 21 ]
Saturday, December 21, 2024
-Quote Of The Day...
*
"IF YOU ARE THE PRESIDENT AND YOU OBSTRUCT JUSTICE, TRY TO BRIBE A FOREIGN LEADER AND THREATEN NATIONAL SECURITY, YOU'RE GOING TO GET IMPEACHED. END OF STORY."
On This Day
In History...
In 1163-
Hurricane hits villages in Holland/Friesland, causing floods
In 1561-
Archbishop Granvelle installed
In 1582-
Flanders adopts Gregorian calendar, tomorrow is Jan 1 1583
In 1620-
103 Mayflower pilgrims land at Plymouth Rock
In 1650-
Johan de Witt installed as Dutch pension advisor of Dordrecht
In 1688-
Pro-James II-earl of Devonshire occupies Nottingham
In 1762-
James Cook marries Elizabeth Batts
In 1784-
John Jay becomes 1st US Secretary of State (foreign affairs)
In 1788-
Hue Tay Son becomes emperor Quang Trung of Vietnam
In 1829-
1st stone arch railroad bridge in US dedicated, Baltimore
In 1835-
HMS Beagle sails into Bay of Islands (New Zealand)
In 1849-
1st US skating club formed (Philadelphia)
In 1864-
General Sherman conquers Savannah
In 1866-
Cheyennes, Arapho's, Sioux, Fetterman Massacre
In 1890-
Pim Mulier 1st & only trip to "Alvesteddetocht"
In 1891-
18 students play 1st basketball game (Springfield College)
In 1898-
Scientists Pierre & Marie Curie discover radium
In 1900-
Gerhart Hauptmann's "Michael Kramer" premieres in Berlin
In 1907-
Dutch government of De Master falls due to war budget
In 1909-
University of Copenhagen rejects Cook's claim that he was 1st to North Pole
In 1909-
1st junior high school established (Berkeley CA)
In 1909-
Clyde Fitch's "City" premieres in New York NY
In 1910-
Explosion in coal mine in Hulton England, 344 mine workers dies
In 1912-
Denmark, Norway & Sweden declare neutrality in Comende war
In 1913-
1st crossword puzzle (with 32 clues) printed in New York World
In 1914-
1st feature-length silent film comedy, "Tillie's Punctured Romance" released (starring Marie Dressler, Mabel Normand & Charles Chaplin)
In 1915-
25.83 cm (10.17") of rainfall, Glenora OR (state record)
In 1918-
Red Sox trade Dutch Leonard, Ernie Shore & Duffy Lewis to Yankees for Ray Caldwell & Slim Love, Frank Gilhooey, Al Walters & $15,000
In 1919-
J Edgar Hoover deports anarchists/feminist Emma Goldman to Russia
In 1920-
Jerome Kern/BG DeSylva's musical "Sally" premieres in New York NY
In 1921-
Supreme Court rules labor injunctions & picketing unconstitutional
In 1923-
Nepal changes from British protectorate to independent nation
In 1925-
Eisenstein's movie Potemkin premieres in Moscow
In 1925-
Stork Hendry scores 325 for Victoria against New Zealand
In 1926-
Soccer team DOS Struggle forms
In 1929-
1st US group hospital insurance plan instituted, Dallas TX
In 1932-
Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers, 1st joint movie (Flying Down to Rio)
In 1932-
Giants sign former outfielder Billy Southworth as a coach
In 1933-
Dried human blood serum 1st prepared, University of Pennsylvania
In 1933-
Newfoundland reverts to being a crown colony
In 1933-
20th Century Fox signs Shirley Temple, 5, to a studio contract
In 1936-
Bradman's 2nd consecutive Test Cricket duck! Australia all out 80
In 1937-
1st feature-length color & sound cartoon premieres (Disney's Snow White)
In 1937-
O'Reilly completes 14-98 for cricket match, New South Wales vs South Australia
In 1939-
Hitler named Adolf Eichmann leader of "Referat IV B"
In 1941-
Chicago Bears win the NFL championship, Ray McLean makes last NFL drop kick for an extra point
In 1941-
David Diamond's 1st Symphony, premieres
In 1941-
German submarine U-567 sinks
In 1942-
US Supreme court declares Nevada separation legal
In 1944-
Cardinals' Marty Marion wins National League MVP
In 1945-
Gould/Comden/Green's "Billion Dollar Baby" premieres at Alvin Theater NYC for 219 performances
In 1946-
"If the Shoe Fits" closes at Century Theater NYC after 20 performances
In 1946-
Earthquake in South Japan, kills 1,086
In 1946-
Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life" premieres
In 1946-
Morton Gould's "Minstrel Show" premieres in Indianapolis
In 1948-
O'Neil Place in the Bronx erroneously renamed O'Neill Place
In 1948-
State of Eire (formerly Irish Free State) declares its independence
In 1949-
Dutch 1st Chamber accept soeveregnty of Indonesia
In 1950-
Cole Porter's musical "Out of this World" premieres at New Century Theater NYC for 157 performances
In 1951-
Joe DiMaggio announces his retirement
In 1952-
Broadway Tunnel opens in San Francisco
In 1952-
WSBT TV channel 22 in South Bend IN (CBS) begins broadcasting
In 1953-
KOMU TV channel 8 in Columbia MO (NBC/PBS) begins broadcasting
In 1954-
Dr Sam Sheppard is convicted of his wife, Marilyn's murder
In 1957-
Indonesia proclaims end to state of war
In 1958-
Charles De Gaulle wins 7 year term as 1st President of 5th Republic of France
In 1959-
10th largest snowfall in NYC history (13.7")
In 1959-
Citizens of Deerfield IL block building of interracial housing
In 1959-
Shah of Persia marries Farah Diba
In 1959-
Tom Landry accepts coaching job with Dallas Cowboys (stays until 1988)
In 1961-
Beatles record "Sweet Georgia Brown" & "Ready Teddy"
In 1961-
JFK & British PM MacMillan meet in Bermuda
In 1962-
Angolin leaves Comecon
In 1962-
US & Cuba accord, releases bay of pigs captive
In 1966-
USSR launches Luna 13; soft-landed in Oceanus Procellarum
In 1968-
Apollo 8 (Frank Borman, Jim Lovell & Bill Anders) 1st manned Moon voyage
In 1968-
David Crosby, Stephen Stills & Graham Nash premiere together in California
In 1969-
Vince Lombardi (Redskins) coaches his last football game, losing
In 1969-
Diana Ross final TV appearance as a Supreme (Ed Sullivan Show)
In 1970-
WUTV TV channel 29 in Buffalo NY (IND) begins broadcasting
In 1971-
UN Security Council chooses Kurt Waldheim as 4th Secretary General
In 1972-
Soviet Union signs a separate peace with East Germany
In 1973-
Israel, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, US & USSR meet in Geneva
In 1975-
1st New York Jet to gain 1,000 yards rushing (John Riggins)
In 1975-
Buffalo Sabres set NHL record of 40 points beating Capitals 14-2 scoring 5 goals vs Washington Capitals in 4:57
In 1975-
"Hello, Dolly" closes at Minskoff Theater NYC after 51 performances
In 1975-
"Very Good Eddie" opens at Booth Theater NYC for 307 performances
In 1975-
64th Davis Cup: Sweden beats Czechoslovakia in Stockholm (3-2)
In 1975-
Madagascar adopts constitution
In 1976-
20th Islander shut-out opponent-Billy Smith 3-0 vs Bruins
In 1976-
Patricia R Harris named Secretary of HUD
In 1976-
UN General Assembly passes a resolution declaring 1979-Year of Child
In 1976-
US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site
In 1978-
"Broadway Musical" opens/closes at Lunt Fontanne Theater NYC
In 1978-
Police in Des Plaines IL, arrest John Wayne Gacy Jr for murder
In 1979-
Gary Unger plays in record 914th consecutive NHL game
In 1979-
USSR performs nuclear test at Eastern Kazakhstan/Semipalitinsk USSR
In 1979-
Zimbabwe adopts constitution
In 1980-
Harold Carmichael ends NFL streak of 127 consecutive game receptions
In 1981-
Cincinnati beats Bradley 75-73 in 7 OTs (NCAA record)
In 1983-
Loretta Swit weds Dennis Holahan
In 1983-
NBA Indiana Pacers end a 28 game road losing streak
In 1983-
Musical "Tap Dance Kid" with Hinton Battle premieres at Broadhurst Theater NYC for 669 performances
In 1983-
NCAA rules rescinded last 2-minute men's basketball free throw rule
In 1984-
Islander Kelly Hrudy's 1st shut-out win-Whalers 1-0
In 1984-
USSR launches Vega 2 for fly-by of Halley's Comet
In 1985-
ARCO Anchorage runs aground near Port Angeles WA
In 1985-
Heart's "Heart" album goes #1
In 1985-
Alice Miller/Don January win LPGA Mazda Golf Championship
In 1986-
75th Davis Cup: Australia beats Sweden in Melbourne (3-2)
In 1986-
Amy Alcott/Bob Charles win LPGA Mazda Golf Championship
In 1987-
3 white New York teens convicted of manslaughter in death of a black man
In 1987-
Soyuz TM-4 carries 3 cosmonauts (Musa Manarov, Anatoly Levchenko & Vladimir Titov) to space station Mir
In 1988-
Drexel agrees guilt to security felonies, pays a $650 million fine
In 1988-
New York bound Pan Am jumbo jet (Flight 103) explodes over Scotland, killing all 259 people on the plane and 11 people on the ground
In 1988-
Vladimir Titov, Anatoly Levchenko & Musa Manarov return to earth (a year) with Chretien
In 1989-
Romania's dictator Nicolae Ceausescu's final speech (he is executed 12/25)
In 1989-
US invades Panamá and ousts General Noriega
In 1989-
Vice-President Quayle sends out 30,000 Xmas cards with word beacon spelled beakon
In 1990-
Steve & Mark Waugh complete 464 partnership for New South Wales vs Western Australia
In 1991-
95 share in Madrid Spain $1.3 billion lottery (#47996)
In 1991-
El Sayid Nosair acquitted of killing Meir Kahane
In 1991-
Soviet Union formally dissolves 11 of 12 republics sign treaty forming Commonwealth of Independent States
In 1991-
US actress Jane Fonda marries CNN-director Ted Turner
In 1992-
Dutch DC-10 in fire at landing on Faro Portugal, 56 die
In 1994-
Bomb goes off on #4 train on Fulton Street NYC
In 1995-
Martina Ertl of Germany wins her 3rd giant slalom world cup
In 1995-
San Francisco Giants announce plans to build a new stadium to open in 2000
In 1996-
Pakistan all out 67 to lose to Tasmania by an inning
In 1997-
Detroit Lions Barry Sanders is 3rd to run for 2,000 yards in a season
In 1997-
Detroit Lions linebacker Reggie Brown, knocked unconscious in game
In 1997-
Lexus Senior Golf Challenge
In 1997-
Wendy's Three-Tour LPGA Challenge
In 1997-
Wendy's Three-Tour Senior Golf Challenges
December 21
-Birthdays
In 1117-
Thomas Becket archbishop of Canterbury
In 1518-
Mark van Vaernewijck Flemish nobleman/politician
In 1537-
Johan III king of Sweden (1569-92)
In 1573-
Mathurin Régnier French poet (Macette)
In 1616-
Pietro Andrea Ziani composer
In 1628-
Samuel Friedrich Capricornus composer
In 1639-
Jean Racin writer
In 1728-
Hermann Friedrich Raupach composer
In 1756-
Thomas Anton Kunz composer
In 1800-
Barnwell Rhett Robert (Confederacy), died in 1876
In 1804-
Benjamin Disraeli (Tory) British PM (1868, 1874-80)
In 1810-
Ludwig Schuncke composer
In 1815-
Thomas Couture French painter/author
In 1818-
Amalia wife of king Otto of Greece
In 1818-
Lewis H Morgan US, etnologist (Systems of Consanguinity)
In 1823-
Jean Henri Fabre France, entomologist (insects & spiders)
In 1826-
Ernst Pauer composer
In 1832-
John Henry Ketcham Brevet Major General (Union volunteers), died in 1906
In 1840-
Mehmed N Kemal Turkish journalist (Vatan)
In 1848-
Edward Everett Rice composer
In 1849-
James Lane Allen US writer (Kentucky Cardinal)
In 1850-
Zdenek Fibich composer
In 1853-
Isolde Kurz German writer/poetess (Meine Mutter)
In 1859-
Gustave Kahn France, poet (claimed to have invented vers libre)
In 1860-
Henrietta Szold founder (Hadassah)
In 1867-
John Winter Thompson composer
In 1872-
Albert P Terhune US, novelist (Lad, a Dog)
In 1874-
Juan Bautista Sacasa President of Nicaragua (1932-36)
In 1879-
Joseph Stalin [Dzoegashvili] Russian dictator; murdered 11,000,000
In 1879-
Theodore Limperg business economist (substitute value)
In 1886-
George Norman Peterkin composer
In 1886-
Hermann A J Kees German Egyptologist (Problems of Egyptology)
In 1890-
Fred M Vinson US Supreme Court Justice (1946-53)
In 1891-
John W McCormack (D) Speaker of the House (1962-70)
In 1892-
Dame Rebecca West [Cicily I F Andrews] England, journalist/novelist/critic/feminist (Meaning of Treason)
In 1892-
Walter Hagen Rochester NY, PGA golfer (US Open 1914, 1919)
In 1895-
Paul Hoffer composer
In 1896-
Carl Romme Dutch catholic foreman/KVP-Minister of Socialist Business
In 1896-
Constantine Rokossovski Russian marshal/vice-premier of Poland
In 1896-
Leroy Robertson composer
In 1898-
Eugène Dabit French writer/painter (Hôtel du Nord)
In 1898-
Ira S Bowen US physicist/astronomer (Mount Wilson/Palomar)
In 1899-
Guy Wilkerson Texas, actor (Dead or Alive, West of Texas, Shootin' Iron)
In 19XX-
Danielle Von Zerneck actress (General Hospital)
In 19XX-
Devon Ericson Salt Lake City UT, actress (Studs Lonigan, Chisholms)
In 19XX-
Ray Acevedo rocker (Menudo-Cannonball)
In 1900-
Oda Schaefer German author/poet (Die Windharfe, Ladies Only)
In 1900-
Wischnewski writer
In 1901-
Juan A de Zunzunegui y Loredo Spanish writer
In 1901-
Robin Irvine London England, actor (Easy Virtue)
In 1905-
Anthony Powell England, novelist (Infants of the Spring)
In 1907-
Garmt Stuiveling Dutch literary (Poet in Love)
In 1908-
Pat Weaver Los Angeles CA, TV Executive, started Today show
In 1909-
George Ball Iowa, lawyer/UnderSecretary of state
In 1909-
Seichô Matsumoto Dutch Japanese detective/playwright (10 to Sen)
In 1911-
Josh Gibson pro baseball player, "Negro Babe Ruth" (hit 800+ homeruns)
In 1911-
Paul Burkhard composer
In 1913-
Raich Carter soccer star
In 1916-
Eve Perrick journalist
In 1916-
John Boon publisher
In 1917-
Alicia Alonso Havana Cuba, ballerina (American Ballet Theatre)
In 1917-
Andre Eglevsky choreographer (Limelight)
In 1917-
Heinrich Böll Germany, writer (Group Portrait with Lady, Nobel '72)
In 1918-
Donald Regan White House staffer/US Secretary of Treasury (1981-85)
In 1918-
Kurt Waldheim Nazi/4th UN Secretary-General (1972-81)/Austrian President (1986-92)
In 1919-
Gert Fredriksson Sweden, 1K kayak (Olympics-gold-1948, 52, 56)
In 1921-
Alica Alonso Havana, ballerina
In 1921-
James Tye safety expert
In 1921-
Joan Dickson cellist
In 1922-
Paul Winchell New York NY, ventriloquist (Jerry Mahoney, Knucklehead Smith)
In 1924-
Joe Paterno football coach (Penn State, SI Sportsman of 1986)
In 1924-
Johan W "Jo" van Marle KNVB-chairman (1980-93)
In 1924-
Rita Reys [Maria Reijs] Dutch jazz singer
In 1926-
Pedro Gonzales-Gonzalez Aguilares TX, actor (Rio Bravo)
In 1926-
John Herbert McDowell composer
In 1927-
Michael Carreras film director
In 1928-
Ed Nelson New Orleans LA, actor (Peyton Place, Along Came a Spider)
In 1928-
Thomas Rajna composer
In 1929-
Jack Philip Cannon composer
In 1930-
Willem R "Wim" van der Zee Secretary of Council of Churches
In 1931-
David Baker Indianapolis IN, composer (Reflections)
In 1931-
Caroline Kaart [Paterson Raitt] Dutch alto singer
In 1932-
Ilja Zeljenka composer
In 1933-
Huib Eversdijk Dutch 2nd chamber member (CDA)
In 1933-
Jackie Hendriks cricketer (West Indian wicket-keeper of 60's)
In 1933-
Miklos Kocsar composer
In 1934-
Hanif Mohammad cricketer (prolific Pakistani batsman 1952-69)
In 1935-
Phil Donahue Cleveland OH, talk show host (Phil Donahue Show)
In 1937-
Jane Fonda New York NY, actress (Barbarella, Klute), physically fit
In 1937-
Harald Crown Prince, son of King Olav V, heir apparent of Norway
In 1938-
Larry Bryggman Concord CA, actor (Dr John Dixon-As the World Turns)
In 1940-
Paul [Ray Hildebrand] Texas, singer (Hey Paula)
In 1940-
Frank Zappa Baltimore MD, composer/musician/satirist (Mothers of Invention, Catholic Girls)
In 1942-
Carla Thomas US singer (Let Me Be Good to You)
In 1943-
Albert Lee rocker
In 1943-
Jack Nance actor (Rubbed Out)
In 1943-
Walter Spanghero French rugby player
In 1944-
Jared Martin New York NY, actor (Varian-Fantastic Voyage, Dusty-Dallas)
In 1944-
Michael Tilson Thomas Los Angeles CA, conductor (New York Philharmonic for Young People)
In 1945-
Doug Walters cricketer (Aussie batting genius 1965-81 Extrovert)
In 1945-
Millie Hughes-Fulford Wells TX, astronaut (STS 40)
In 1946-
Christopher Keene Berkeley CA, conductor (La Traviata)
In 1946-
Carl Dean Wilson Hawthorne CA, rock vocalist (Beach Boys-Barbie)
In 1946-
Josh Mostel New York, actor (Windy City, Animal Behavior, Money Pit)
In 1948-
Barry Gordon Brookline MA, actor (Gary-Archie Bunker's Place)
In 1948-
Carol Potter New York NY, actress (Beverly Hills 90210, Maggie Clinton-Today's FBI)
In 1948-
Dave Kingman baseball player (Mets, Yankees, Giants)
In 1948-
Samuel L Jackson actor (Amos & Andrew, White Sand, Pulp Fiction)
In 1948-
Willem Vermeend Dutch economist/UnderSecretary of Finance (1994-)
In 1952-
Dennis Boutsikaris Newark NJ, actor (Batteries Not Included)
In 1952-
Steve Furniss US swimmer (Olympics-bronze-1972)
In 1953-
Andras Schiff Budapest Hungary, pianist (Tchaikovsky-1974)
In 1953-
Arie Luyendyk Netherlands, Indy-car racer (1990 Indianapolis 500)
In 1953-
Betty Wright US gospel/singer/TV hostess (Little Miss Broadway)
In 1953-
Tina Brown journalist (New Yorker)
In 1954-
Chris Evert Lloyd Mills Fort Lauderdale, tennis pro 'Miss Pokerface'
In 1955-
Jane Kaczmarek Milwaukee WI, actress (Lois-Malcolm in the Middle, Mary-Hometown)
In 1956-
Kevin Burnham Hollis NY, 470 yachter (Olympics-8th-1992, 96)
In 1956-
Lee Roy Parnell Abilene TX, country singer (Oughta be a Law)
In 1957-
Joshua Mostel New York NY, actor (Delta House, At Ease)
In 1957-
Lisa Gerritsen Los Angeles CA, actress (Bess-Mary Tyler Moore Show)
In 1957-
Ray Romano Queens NY, actor (Ray Barone-Everybody Loves Raymond)
In 1959-
Florence Griffith Joyner Los Angeles CA, runner (3 Olympics-gold-1988)
In 1960-
Andy Van Slyke baseball player
In 1960-
Michael Swain Elizabeth NJ, judoka (Olympics-bronze-88)
In 1960-
Roger McDowell Cincinnati OH, pitcher (New York Mets, Baltimore Orioles)
In 1961-
Trevor Bayliss cricketer (New South Wales batsman)
In 1962-
Christy Forester Lookout Mountain GA, country singer (Forester Sister-Men)
In 1964-
Ed Jongsma Dutch pop bassist (Sleeze Beez-Look Like Hell)
In 1964-
Joey Kocur Calgary, NHL right wing (Vancouver Canucks)
In 1964-
Keith Taylor NFL safety (Washington Redskins)
In 1965-
Andy Dick Charleston SC, actor (Matthew-Newsradio)
In 1965-
Gabrielle Glaser musician (Luscious Jackson)
In 1965-
Rodney Thomas WLAF cornerback (Barcelona Dragons)
In 1965-
Sue Thomas Texarkana TX, LPGA golfer (1991 Orix Hawaiian Ladies-14th)
In 1967-
Kristi Cooke Marion OH, Miss Ohio-America (1991)
In 1967-
Ervin Johnson NBA center (Seattle Supersonics, Milwaukee Bucks)
In 1967-
Terry Mills NBA forward (Miami Heat, Detroit Pistons)
In 1968-
Khrystyne Haje Santa Clara CA, actress (Simone-Head of the Class)
In 1968-
Anthony Lynn NFL running back (Denver Broncos-Superbowl 32)
In 1969-
Chuck Smith NFL defensive end (Atlanta Falcons)
In 1969-
Julie Delpy actress (Before Sunrise)
In 1969-
Leon Searcy NFL offensive tackle (Pittsburgh Steelers, Jackson Jaguars)
In 1970-
Irving Spikes NFL running back (Miami Dolphins)
In 1970-
Monique Ambers WNBA forward (Phoenix Mercury)
In 1970-
Ronnie Woolfork WLAF linebacker (Frankfurt Galaxy)
In 1971-
Ernest Hunter NFL running back (Cleveland Browns)
In 1971-
Irena Slavutskay Israel, athlete (Olympics-1996)
In 1971-
Jey Phillips WLAF DB (Amsterdam Admirals)
In 1971-
Tommie Boyd NFL/WLAF receiver (Detroit Lions, Rhein Fire)
In 1973-
Mike Alstott fullback (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
In 1974-
Karrie Webb Ayr Queensland Australia, LPGA golfer (1994 Australian Strokeplay)
In 1974-
Raymond Austin cornerback/safety (New York Jets)
In 1978-
Amber Corwin Harbor City CA, figure skater (1997 Nationals - 5th)
In 1978-
Michael Vitar Los Angeles CA, actor (D2, D3, Sunset Grill, Sandlot Kids)
December 21
-Deaths Which Occurred
In 0918-
Conrad I Duke of Franconia/German King (911-918), dies
In 1308-
Henry I the Child, 1st landgrave of Hessen (1256-1308), dies
In 1375-
Giovanni Boccaccio Italian poet (Vita di Dante, Decameron), dies
In 1429-
Jacquemart de Bléharies Tournay "heretic", burned to death
In 1579-
Juan de Juanes [Vicente Juan Maçip] Spanish ecclesiastical painter, dies at 56
In 1597-
Petrus Canisius Dutch jesuit/saint, dies at 76
In 1674-
Rutger van Haersolte viceroy of Overijsselse, dies at about 66
In 1734-
Philipp Hyacinth Lobkowitz composer, dies at 54
In 1736-
Alessandro Galilei Italian architect (Cappella Corsini), dies at 45
In 1755-
Caspar Ruetz composer, dies at 47
In 1765-
Joseph Thaddäus Stammel Austrian sculptor, dies at 70
In 1820-
Charles-François Dumonchau composer, dies at 45
In 1859-
Nicolaas C Kist Dutch church historian/archivist, dies at 66
In 1864-
William Henry Fry composer, dies at 51
In 1889-
Joseph B Lightfoot English theologist/bishop of Durham, dies at 61
In 1890-
Niels Vilhelm Gade Danish composer, dies at 73
In 1906-
Adalbert von Goldschmidt composer, dies at 58
In 1907-
Oskar Lassar German dermatologist (public baths), dies at 58
In 1914-
A O Jones cricketer (12 Tests for England 1899-1909), dies
In 1920-
Claude Tozer cricketer (dashing New South Wales batsman, shot to death
In 1921-
P B S Pinchback major Reconstruction politician, dies at 84
In 1927-
Jack Saunders cricketer (79 wickets-14 Tests for Australia 1902-08), dies
In 1928-
Harry Butt cricketer (England wicket-keeper vs South Africa 1895-96), dies
In 1928-
Luigi Cadorna Italian fieldmarshal (WWI, Caporetto), dies at 78
In 1931-
John-French Cantré Flemish wood carver/painter/cartoonist, dies at 45
In 1933-
Knud J V Rasmussen Danish Pole explorer (Thule), dies at 54
In 1935-
Kurt Tucholsky German journalist/writer (Panter, Tiger & Co), dies at 45
In 1937-
Frank Kellog US foreign minister (Nobel 1929), dies at 80
In 1940-
F[rancis] Scott [Key] Fitzgerald author (Great Gatsby, Zelda), dies of a heart attack in Hollywood at 44
In 1942-
Leendert Round sculptor (Giraffen, Blijdorp), dies at 63
In 1945-
George S Patton US general (Sicily/Normandy), dies in car accident in Heidelberg at 60
In 1948-
Seishiro Itagaki Japanese general/Minister of War, hanged
In 1955-
Dorothy Bernard actress (Margaret-Life With Father), dies at 65
In 1956-
Lewis M Terman psychologist (Genetic studies of genius), dies at 79
In 1957-
Eric Coates composer, dies at 71
In 1958-
H[arry] B[yron] Warner actor (10 Commandments, New Moon), dies at 83
In 1958-
Lion Feuchtwanger philosopher/writer (Der falsche Nero), dies at 74
In 1963-
Jack Hobbs cricketer (61 Tests for England), dies
In 1965-
Claude Adonai Champagne composer, dies at 74
In 1967-
Louis Washkansky dies 18 days after 1st heart transplant at 55
In 1967-
Stuart Erwin actor (Trouble With Father), dies of heart attack at 64
In 1972-
Horace Mann Bond president of Lincoln University (Pennsylvania), dies at 70
In 1974-
Richard Long actor (Professor-Nanny & the Professor), dies at 47
In 1975-
William Lundigan announcer (CBS Mystery Theater), dies at 61
In 1976-
Edward Bartlett cricketer (West Indies Test batsman in 5 Tests 1928-31), dies
In 1979-
Bill Anderson cricketer (Test for New Zealand 1946, scored five & one), dies
In 1980-
Marc Connelly playwright (One Minute Please), dies at 90
In 1983-
Rod Cameron actor (Santa Fe Passage, Stampede), dies at 73
In 1987-
Robert Paige actor (Son of Dracula, Pardon My Sarong), dies
In 1988-
Bob Steele [Robert Bradbury] dies after short illness at 60
In 1988-
Nicholas Tinbergen Dutch/British biologist, dies at 81
In 1989-
Jan Cikker composer, dies at 78
In 1992-
Albert King US blues singer/guitarist (Crosscut Saw), dies at 71
In 1992-
Nathan Milstein Ukrainian/US violist (Beethoven, Bach), dies at 87
In 1992-
Stella Adler US actress (Love on Toast), dies at 90
In 1992-
Sybil Andrews English/Canada painter, dies at 94
In 1993-
Philip Christison British general (Rangoon), dies at 100
In 1994-
Dean Rusk US Secretary of State, dies at 85
In 1994-
Shauna McDonald Brown British TV producer, dies at 37
In 1995-
Robert Francis Vere Heuston professor of law, dies at 72
In 1995-
Trenchard Cox museum director, dies at 90
In 1996-
Margaret E Rey author of children's books, dies at 90
In 1996-
Olga Maria Nicolis di Robilant patron of the arts, dies at 96
In 1997-
Bruce Woodcock boxer, dies at 76
In 1997-
Juzo Itami film director/actor (Lord Jim, Yuuguremade), dies at 64
In 1997-
Michael Lyne air-marshal, dies at 78
December 21
-Holidays
*
Nepál : Independence Day/Unity Day (1923)
*
Plymouth MA : Forefathers' Day (1620)
*
World : Underdog Day - - - - - ( Friday )
December 21
-Religious History
In 1672-
Birth of Benjamin Schmolck, German Lutheran clergyman. Though a busy pastor, Schmolck found time to pen 900 hymns, the best remembered of them being "My Jesus, As Thou Wilt."
In 1672-
Birth of Johann Christoph Schwedler, German clergyman and author of the hymn, "Ask Ye What Great Thing I Know." Schwedler penned more than 500 hymns during his life, many stressing the joyÂfilled confidence available to every Christian believer.
In 1776-
Anglican clergyman and hymnwriter John Newton wrote in a letter: 'It is necessary that our sharpest trials should sometimes spring from our dearest comforts, else we should be in danger of forgetting ourselves and setting up our rest here.'
In 1835-
Oglethorpe University was chartered in Milledgeville, Georgia under Presbyterian auspices. In 1913 the campus was moved to Atlanta.
In 1843-
Irish Catholic religious Frances Ward, 33, first arrived in the U.S. in Pittsburgh, where she afterward helped establish successive convents of the Sisters of Mercy, both in Chicago and in Loretto, Pennsylvania.