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December 9th
0536 - Having captured Naples earlier in the year, Belisarius takes Rome. 0536 - Byzantines Libya occupied Rome on Ostrogoten. 0656 - At the Battle of Kameel: Kalief Al ibn Abu Talib beat back a rebellion. 1165 - Died this day, Malcolm IV, King of Scotland (1153-65), aged 24, and was succeeded by his younger brother, William I the Lion. 1212 - Frederik II crowned himself Roman Catholic king. 1292 - Died this day, Sa'di, great Persian poet (Orchard, Rose Garden). 1315 - Swiss Woudsteden renewed the Eternal Covenant (Oath Society). 1392 - Born this day, Peter, Prince-Regent of Portugal, writer (Virtuosa Benfeitoria). 1425 - Pope Martinus V formed the University of Leuven. 1437 - Died this day, Sigismund, German Emperor, king of Hungary/Bohemia, aged 70. 1516 - Born this day, Edwin Sandys, English statesman, a founder of Virginia colony. Died in 1588. 1565 - Died this day, Pius IV [Gianangelo de' Medici], Italian Pope (1559-65), aged 66. 1569 - Born this day, Martinus de Porres, in Peru, saint (patron of social justice). 1570 - Geuzen under Herman de Ruyter, occupied Loevestein. 1571 - Born this day, Adrian A. Metius, Dutch mathematician, fort architect. 1581 - Born this day, Emilia Secunda Antwerpiana, daughter of Willem of Orange. 1594 - Born this day, Gustavus II Adolphus, king who made Sweden a major power (1611-32). 1608 - Born this day, John Milton, in London, English poet, civil rights activist, puritan (Paradise Lost, Samson Agonistes). Died 8 November 1674. 1625 - The Treaty of The Hague was signed, under which England and the Netherlands agreed to subsidise Christian IV of Denmark in his campaign in Germany. 1625 - Died this day, Ubbo Emmius [van Embden], Frisian humanist, historian, aged 78. 1636 - Died this day, Giovanni B. Aleotti, Italian writer, theatre architect, aged about 90. 1640 - Settler Hugh Bewitt, was banished from the Massachusetts colony when he declared himself to be free of 'original sin'. 1641 - Died this day, Anthonie 'Antoon' van Dyck, Flemish painter, aged 42. 1658 - Dutch troops occupied the harbour city of Quilon (Coilan), India. 1669 - Died this day, Clement IX [Giulio Rospigliosi], Italian Pope (1667-69). 1674 - Died this day, Edward Hyde, first earl of Clarendon, English Prime Minister (1660-67), aged 65. 1688 - King James II's wife and son fled England for France. 1706 - Died this day, Pedro II, king of Portugal (1683-1706), aged 58. 1715 - Born this day, Georg Gottfried Petri, composer. 1717 - Born this day, Johann J. Winckelmann, German archaeologist (History of Ancient Art). 1724 - Colley Cibber's Caesar in Aegypt premiered in London. 1728 - Born this day, Pietro Alessandro Guglieli, composer. 1738 - Jews were expelled from Breslau, Silesia. 1742 - Born this day, Carl W. Scheele, in Uppsala, Sweden, pharmacist, chemist (lemon acid). 1747 - England and the Netherlands signed a military treaty. 1754 - Born this day, Etienne Ozi, composer. 1762 - The British parliament accepted the Treaty of Paris. 1767 - Died this day, Benedetto Alfieri, Italian architect (San Giovanni Battista). 1770 - Died this day, Gottlieb Theophil Muffat, composer, aged 80. 1783 - The first executions took place at Newgate Prison, London, replacing the previous gallows at Tyburn. 1788 - George Washington sold his race horse, Magnolia, to Colonel Henry Lee. 1791 - Born this day, Peter Joseph von Lindpaintner, composer. 1792 - The first formal cremation of a human body in America took place near Charleston, South Carolina. 1793 - Noah Webster established The American Minerva, New York's first daily newspaper. 1796 - Born this day, Prudent-Louis Aubery du Boulley, composer. 1805 - Comet 3D/1805 V1 (Biela) approached to within 0.0366 astronomical units (AUs) of Earth. (How many miles?) 1809 - Born this day, William Barret Travis, commander of the Texas troops at the battle of the Alamo. 1814 - Died this day, Jose Angel Lamas, composer, aged 39. 1819 - Died this day, Ann C. Coleman, fiancee of President Buchanan, committed suicide. 1824 - In the Peruvian War of Independence, 9,300 Spaniards under Laserna were defeated by Peruvian Patriots led by Sucre at the battle of Ayacucho (Candorcangui); the victory led to Peru's independence. 1827 - Died this day, François Leonard Rouwyzer, composer, aged 90. 1837 - Born this day, Charles Èmile Waldteufel, in Strasbourg, France, waltz composer (Skaters). 1840 - Scottish missionary explorer David Livingstone, aged 27, set sail on his first journey to Africa. (He had been accepted to serve under the London Missionary Society two years earlier.) 1842 - Born this day, Pjotr A. Kopotkin, Russian ruler, anarchist. 1842 - St M. Glinka's opera Russlan Ludmilla premiered in Petersburg. 1843 - Born this day, P. Paul Leroy-Beaulieu, French economist (Economiste Français). 1848 - Born this day, Joel Chandler Harris, US journalist, author of the Uncle Remus stories. Died in 1908. 1851 - The first Young Men's Christian Association in North America was founded in Montréal. 1853 - Born this day, Charles 'Old Hoss' Radbourn, Rochester, New York, pitcher (60-12 in 1884). 1854 - Lord Tennyson's poem, Charge of the Light Brigade was published. 1854 - Born this day, Pekka Hannikainen, composer. 1859 - Born this day, Algernon Ashton, composer. 1861 - Battle of Bird Creek, Indian Terr (High Shoal, Chusto-Talasah). 1861 - The US Senate approved the establishment of a committee that would become the Joint Committee on the Conduct of War. 1862 - Born this day, Karel Kovarovic, composer. 1863 - Born this day, G. Campbell Morgan, English congregational clergyman and Bible expositor. Morgan authored more than 60 Bible commentaries and books of sermons many are still in print. 1863 - Major General John G. Foster replaces Major General Ambrose E. Burnside as Commander of the Department of Ohio. 1864 - Born this day, Sidney Homer, composer. 1867 - The capital of Colorado Territory was moved from Golden to Denver. 1868 - Born this day, Fritz Haber, German phycist-chemist (Nobel 1918). 1868 - William Ewart Gladstone became Prime Minister for the first of his four terms of office. 1869 - The Noble Order of Knights of Labor was founded, in Philadelphia. 1870 - The Society of Biblical Archaeology was founded in London 'for the investigation of the archaeology, history, arts, and chronology of ancient and modern...biblical lands....' 1872 - P.B.S. Pinchback became the first African-American governor of Louisiana. 1873 - Born this day, Antoine Pompe, Belgian architect. 1878 - Born this day, Géza Révész, Hungarian-Dutch psychologist (Talent & Genius). 1878 - Joseph Pulitzer bought the St. Louis Dispatch for $2,500. 1882 - Born this day, Joaquín Turina, in Seville, Spain, composer (Rima). 1883 - Born this day, Alexander Papagos, Greek fieldmarshal, supreme commander. 1883 - New Brunswick adopted Eastern Standard Time (until 1902). 1884 - Born this day, Antonin Zapotocky, Czechoslovakian President (Ceskoslovensky Spisouatel). 1884 - Levant Richardson of Chicago, Illinois patented the ball-bearing roller skate. 1886 - Born this day, Clarence Birdseye, inventor, US pioneer of frozen food, one of the founders of General Foods Corporation. Died 8 October 1956. 1889 - President Harrison visited the opening of Chicago Auditorium. 1889 - Born this day, John P. 'Hannes' Kolehmainen, Finnish long-distance runner (Olympics-gold 1912). 1893 - Died this day, George Elvey, composer, aged 77. 1894 - Born this day, Eddie Dowling, in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, actor (Anywhere USA). 1894 - Roman Catholics won Parliamentary election in Belgium. 1897 - Born this day, Hermione Gingold, in London, England, actress (Gigi, Music Man). 1898 - Born this day, Emmett Kelly, in Sedan, Kansas, circus clown (Weary Willie), Ringling Brothers. Died 28 March 1979. 1899 - Born this day, Frans van Amelsvoort, Dutch choir conductor. 1899 - Born this day, Howard Freeman, in Helena, Montana, actor (Double Dynamite). 1899 - Born this day, Jean de Brunhoff, in France, children's book author (Babar the Elephant). 1899 - Born this day, Leonie Fuller Adams, US poetess (Those not elected). 1900 - Dutch President Paul Kruger and Queen Wilhelmina had a triumphant procession. 1900 - The Russian czar rejected Boer Paul Kruger's pleas for aid in South Africa against the British. 1901 - Born this day, [Edmund] Odön von Horvath, Hungarian-Austrian playwright. 1902 - Born this day, Margaret Hamilton, in Cleveland, Ohio, actress (Wicked Witch-Wizard of Oz, , The Anderson Tapes, Brewster McCloud; Maxwell House commercials). Died 16 May 1985. 1902 - The American League announced the purchase of grounds for a stadium in New York. 1902 - Born this day, Richard A. Butler, in England, Dutch Minister of Finance, Foreign affairs. 1903 - The Norwegian parliament voted unanimiously for female suffrage. 1904 - Born this day, Roger Wolcott Sperry, physicist. 1905 - An Act for the Separation of Church and State became law in France, rescinding Napoleon's Concordat of 1801. The new law guaranteed freedom of conscience, but also severed all religious groups from any further economic support by the national government. 1905 - Born this day, Dalton Trumbo, US writer, film director (Johnny Got His Gun). 1905 - Died this day, Henry Holmes, composer, aged 66. 1905 - Salome, a one-act opera by Richard Strauss from the story by Oscar Wilde, had its first performance in Dresden, Germany, and was condemned as obscene. 1906 - Born this day, Grace Murray Hopper, computer developer (COBOL), US Navy Rear Admiral, oldest naval officer on active duty [retired at the age of 79]. Died 1 January 1992. 1906 - The New York American reported Belgian King Leopold II bribed the US Senate commission on the Congo. 1906 - Born this day, Freddy Martin, in Cleveland, Ohio, orchestra leader, musician, saxophonist, bandleader, 'Mr. Silvertone', (I’ve Got a Lovely Bunch of Cocoanuts, April in Portugal, I Saw Stars, Then I’ll Be Tired of You, Isle of Capri, Piano Concerto in B Flat, Tonight We Love, Bumble Boogie, Sabre Dance Boogie, Warsaw Concerto, Rose O’Day, Miss You), (started Merv Griffin). Died 30 September 1983. 1906 - Born this day, Greet Koeman, Dutch singer. 1907 - Gustav Mahler departed from Vienna. 1907 - Born this day, Noel Walton Bott, engineer. 1907 - The first Christmas Seals went on sale in the post office in Wilmington, Delaware. Today, Christmas seal income is used primarily in the fight against birth defects. Contributions for the original seals, designed by Emily P. Bissell, helped in the fight against tuberculosis. A hospital in Wilmington is named in honour of Bissell. 1908 - A child labour bill passed in the German Reichstag, forbade work for children under the age of 13. 1909 - Born this day, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., in New York, NY, actor (Ghost Story, Gunga Din, The Prisoner of Zenda, Accused, Catherine the Great, Scarlet Dawn; TV host: Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. presents). Died 7 May 2000. 1909 - The first US monoplane was flown (Henry W. Walden, Long Island, New York). 1910 - French troops occupied the Morrocan harbour city of Agadir. 1910 - Born this day, Dick Elffers, Dutch graphic artist, painter (Holland Festival). 1910 - Born this day, Stephen Jurika Jr., US pilot, captain (WWII, Santa Cruz, Navy Cross). 1911 - Born this day, Lee J. Cobb [Leo Jacoby], actor (Bull of the West, The Exorcist, MacKenna’s Gold, Coogan’s Bluff, Our Man Flint, How the West was Won, Come Blow Your Horn, The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, Exodus, Green Mansions, The Brothers Karamazov, Twelve Angry Men, The Three Faces of Eve, The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit, On the Waterfront, Death of a Salesman, The Virginian). Died 11 February 1976. 1911 - Born this day, [William Pendergast] Broderick Crawford, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, actor (Ransom Money, Dark Forces, The Oscar, Last of the Comanches, Born Yesterday, All the King’s Men, Highway Patrol, King of Diamonds, The Interns, Hunter, Liar's Moon). Died 26 April 1986. 1912 - Born this day, Fred Engelen, Flemish actor, director [or December 12]. 1912 - Born this day, (Thomas P) Tip O’Neil, US politician, (Representative-D-Massachusetts [1977-86]), former Speaker of the House of Representatives [1977-1987]. Died 5 January 1994. 1913 - Born this day, Frances Reid, in Wichita Falls, Texas, actress (Alice-Days of our Lives). 1913 - John K. Tener became president of baseball's National League. 1913 - Heavyweights Jack Johnson and Jim Johnson fought to a 'no decision' in Paris. 1915 - Born this day, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, in Jarotschin, Germany, soprano (Der Rosenkavalier). 1915 - Born this day, Colin McCool, cricketer (Australian leg-spin all rounder late 40s). 1915 - Born this day, Herbert Huncke, writer. 1916 - Born this day, Wolfgang Hildesheimer, German-Swiss architect, writer (Mozart biog). 1916 - Born this day, Kirk Douglas [Isadore Demsky/Issur Danielovitch], actor (Greedy, The Secret, Oscar, Queenie, Tough Guys, The Final Countdown, The Chosen, A Gunfight, There was a Crooked Man, The Arrangement, The Brotherhood, In Harm’s Way, Seven Days in May, Spartacus, Lonely are the Brave, Paths of Glory, Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, Lust for Life, Ulysses, Young Man with a Horn, Champion, The Bad and the Beautiful), father of actor Mike Douglas. 1916 - Died this day, P. Paul Leroy-Beaulieu, French economist (Economist France), aged 73. 1917 - Turkish troops surrendered Jerusalem to British troops led by General Viscount Allenby. 1917 - The new Finnish Republic demanded the withdrawal of Russian troops. 1918 - French troops occupied Mainz. 1920 - The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to President Woodrow Wilson. 1922 - Born this day, Redd Foxx [John Elroy Sanford], in St Louis, Missouri, comedian (Sanford and Son, The Royal Family, Redd Foxx, The Redd Foxx Show, Harlem Nights, Norman, Is that You?, Cotton Comes to Harlem). Died 11 October 1991. 1922 - Gabriel Narutowicz was elected as the Polish President. 1924 - A Dutch-Hungary trade treaty was signed. 1924 - Michael Hainisch was re-elected as Austrian President. 1924 - Died this day, Bernard Zweers, Dutch composer (Gisbertus of Aemstel), aged 70. 1925 - Pro football became a hit in New York City; Grange & Bears beat Giants before 73,000 supporters. 1925 - Died this day, Eugene Gigout, composer, aged 81. 1925 - Born this day, Dina Merrill [Nedenia Hutton Rumbough], in New York City, NY, actress (Suture, Fear, Caddyshack 2, The Sundowners, Butterfield 8, Operation Petticoat, Hot Pursuit), heir to Post cereal fortune. 1925 - The American League extended Ban Johnson's contract to 1935 and raised it to $40,000. 1926 - Benny Goodman’s first recording session. He played clarinet with the Ben Pollack Orchestra on a tune titled, Downtown Shuffle on Victor Records. Goodman, incidentally, was all of 17-years-old. 1926 - The US Golf Association legalised steel-shaft golf clubs. Many of the new clubs are still wrapped around tree trunks, put there by angry golfers who couldn’t make them work any better than the clubs made with hickory sticks. 1926 - Born this day, Luis Miguel Dominguín, in Spain, matador. 1927 - Born this day, Pierre Henry, composer. 1928 - Born this day, Dick Van Patten, in Queens, New York, actor (Tom Bradford-Eight is Enough, When Things Were Rotten, WIOU, The Partners, The New Dick Van Dyke Show, Mama, A Dangerous Place, Spaceballs, Westworld, Superdad, Son of Blob). 1929 - Born this day, John Cassavetes, in New York, NY, actor (Edge of the City, The Dirty Dozen, Rosemary’s Baby, Johnny Staccato; director: Big Trouble, Love Streams, Gloria, Opening Night, Faces, Shadows). Died 3 February 1989. 1929 - Born this day, Bob Hawke, cricketer (no relation to Lord 12th man for Oxford University 1954). 1929 - Born this day, Michel Fano, composer. 1929 - Born this day, Robert J.L. Hawke, (Labour), former Prime Minister of Australia (1983-91). 1929 - Died this day, Willis Cuttell, cricketer (two Tests England vs South Africa 1899). 1930 - Died this day, Jim Slight, cricketer (represented Australia at Oval 1880). 1930 - Born this day, Buck Henry [Zuckerman], in New York, NY, actor (Short Cuts, Grumpy Old Men, Eating Raoul, Catch-22, The Graduate), Emmy Award-winning writer (Ship of Spies, Get Smart [1966-67]; That was the Week That Was, To Die For, The Day of the Dolphin, What’s Up, Doc?, The Owl and the Pussycat, Catch-22, The Graduate), comedian (Saturday Night Live, Get Smart), entertainer (The Steve Allen Show, The New Show). 1931 - Spain became a republic. 1931 - Baseball cut the squad from 25 to 23 players and the National League continued to prohibit uniform numbers. 1931 - Born this day, Donald Byrd, jazz trumpeter. 1931 - Benn W. Levy's Springtime for Henry premiered in New York, NY. 1931 - The Japanese army attacked the Chinese province of Jehol. 1932 - Born this day, Junior Wells, blues singer, harmonica player, toured with The Rolling Stones in 1970. Died 15 January 1998. 1932 - Born this day, Jessie 'Ooh Poo Pah Doo' Hill, jazz musician. 1933 - Born this day, Milt Gray Campbell, in Plainfield, New Jersey, hurdler, decathlete (Olympics-gold-1956). 1933 - In the 21st CFL Grey Cup: Toronto Argonauts defeated Sarnia Imperials, 4-3. 1933 - Born this day, Morton Downey, Jr., talk show host (The Morton Downey Jr. Show), actor (The Silencer, Revenge of the Nerds 3: The Next Generation, Driving Me Crazy, Predator 2). Died 12 March 2001. 1933 - Born this day, Orville Moody, in Chickasha, Oklahoma, PGA golfer (1969 US Open). 1933 - Died this day, Morice Bird, cricketer (scored 280 runs in 10 Tests for England). 1933 - Romania disallowed a fascist Iron Guard. 1934 - Born this day, Dame Judi Dench, in York, England, British stage and film actress (As Time Goes By, Goldeneye-"M", Her Majesty Mrs Brown-Queen Victoria). 1934 - Born this day, [Amos] Junior Wells Memphis TN, blues singer (In My Younger Days) 1934 - Born this day, Al Kaline, in Baltimore, Maryland, baseball outfielder (Detroit Tigers). 1934 - New York Giants defeated Chicago Bears 30-13 for the NFL championship. The New York Giants football team preferred to wear basketball sneakers because of ground conditions. 1934 - Born this day, Alan Ridout, composer. 1935 - Born this day, Dominico Tromp, in Aruba, stage leader. 1936 - The American League OKed night baseball for St. Louis. 1936 - Australia were all out 58 vs England. Don Bradman was out for a duck. 1938 - Born this day, David Houston, Grammy Award-winning singer (Almost Persuaded [1966]; Mountain of Love, Livin’ in a House Full of Love, With One Exception, You Mean the World to Me, Have a Little Faith, Already It’s Heaven, Baby Baby [I Know You’re a Lady], So Many Ways), actor (Carnival Rock, Cottonpickin’ Chickenpickers). Died 30 November 1993. 1938 - Born this day, [David] Deacon Jones, Pro Football Hall of Famer, NFL defensive end (Los Angeles Rams, San Diego Chargers, Washington Redskins), NFL defensive player of the year [1967, 1968]. 1938 - Born this day, Elizabeth H. 'Rina' Venter, South African minister of Health care. 1938 - Born this day, William Thomas McKinley, composer. 1939 - In the 27th Grey Cup: Winnipeg Blue Bombers defeated Ottawa Rough Riders, 8-7. 1939 - Russia made an air raid on Helsinki. 1940 - Illegal Jewish immigrants to Haifa were deported to Mauritius. 1940 - British troops made their first major offensive in North Africa (Libya) during World War II (WWII). 1940 - South Australia were all out for 47 vs New South Wales, O'Reilly took 5-11. 1940 - The Longines Watch Company signed for the first FM radio advertising contract - with experimental station W2XOR in New York City. The ads ran for 26 weeks and promoted the Longines time signals. 1940 - The British Eighth Army launched an offensive in North Africa by attacking Sidi Barrani in Egypt. They seized 1,000 Italians in a sudden thrust. 1940 - Died this day, Maletti, Italian general, died in battle. 1941 - President Franklin D. Roosevelt told Americans to plan for a long war. 1941 - The first US World War II (WWII) bombing mission in the Far East, at Luzon, Philippines. 1941 - At 300 Montgomery, San Francisco, a new Bank of America HQ opened. 1941 - Died this day, [Leonard] Leo Polak, Dutch philosopher, in Sachsenhausen aged 61. 1941 - China formally issued a declaration of war against Japan, Germany and Italy. 1941 - Born this day, [Lloyd Vernet III] Beau Bridges, in Los Angeles, California, director, Emmy Award-winning actor (Without Warning: The James Brady Story [1991-92]; The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader- Murdering Mom [1992-93]; Harts of the West, Ensign O’Toole; The Fabulous Baker Boys, Married to It, Sidekicks, The Hotel New Hampshire, Norma Rae, Two Minute Warning, The Other Side of the Mountain, For Love of Ivy, The Red Pony, Sea Hunt), son of actor Lloyd Bridges, brother of actor Jeff Bridges. 1941 - The 7th Heisman Trophy Award was made to Bruce Smith, Minnesota (HB). 1941 - Born this day, Sam Strain, singer, The O'Jays, 1973 US No.1 and UK No.9 single Love Train. (Imperials-Hurt So Bad). 1941 - Born this day, Dan Hicks, rock musician. 1941 - Hitler ordered that US ships should be torpedoed. 1942 - Born this day, Joe McGinniss, in Rye, New York, author (Selling of the President 1968). 1942 - Born this day, Billy Bremner, former Leeds football player and captain of Scotland. 1942 - Born this day, Dick Butkus, in Chicago, Illinois, NFL College and Pro Football Hall of Famer, middle linebacker (Chicago Bears), sportscaster, actor (Rich Man, Poor Man, Half Nelson). 1943 - Born this day, Rick Danko, in Canada, musician, bassist, singer, The Band, 1970 UK No.16 single Rag Mama Rag. Died 10 December 1999. 1943 - Born this day, Jim Merritt, baseball, pitcher, Minnesota Twins [World Series: 1965], Cincinnati Reds [World Series: 1970/all-star: 1970], Texas Rangers. 1943 - Singer and actor Frank Sinatra was classified 4-F by the US Army when he tried to enlist in Newark, New Jersey, during World War II (WWII). 1943 - Born this day, Kenny Vance, rock musician. 1944 - Born this day, George Baker [Hans Bouwens], Dutch vocalist (G B Selection). 1944 - Died this day, Laird Cregar, actor (Charley's Aunt, Hangover Square), aged 28. 1944 - Born this day, Neil Innes, in Danbury, Essex, musician, keyboards, singer, songwriter, Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, 1968 UK No.5 single I'm The Urban Spaceman, also composed music for Monty Python’s Flying Circus, and wrote and performed The Rutles, a TV spoof on The Beatles. 1945 - Born this day, Michael Nouri, in Washington DC, actor (To the Limit, Danielle Steele’s Changes, The Hidden, Flashdance, Gangster Wars, Love & War, The Gangster Chronicles, Downtown, The Curse of Dracula, The Bay City Blues, Beacon Hill). 1947 - Born this day, Steve Owens, Heisman Trophy winner, Oklahoma [1969]. 1947 - Born this day, Thomas Andrew Daschle, US Senator. 1948 - Born this day, Dennis Dunaway, musician, bassist. 1948 - The United Nations General Assembly approved the Convention on Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. 1948 - Born this day, Marleen Gorris, Dutch director (Mres Dalloway, Antonia, Last Island). 1948 - Born this day, Ron Vawter, in Latham, New York, actor (Philadelphia, Empire City, Twister). 1948 - Died this day, Sir Timothy O'Brien, cricketer (Bart 5 Tests England 1884-96). 1948 - The United Nations (UN) General Assembly unanimously approved the Convention on Genocide. 1948 - The United States abandoned a plan to de-concentrate industry in Japan. 1949 - The United Nations (UN) took trusteeship over Jerusalem. 1949 - The NFL merged the Cleveland Browns, San Francisco '49ers and Baltimore Colts from the AAFC. 1949 - The Dutch 2nd Chamber accepted Indonesian sovereignty. 1949 - Born this day, (Thomas O [Jr.]) Tom Kite, in Austin, Texas, PGA golfer (1978 British Columbia Open, Crosby 1983, US Open [1992], PGA Rookie of the Year [1973], Vardon Trophy winner [1989], PGA Player of the Year [1989]). 1950 - President Harry S. Truman banned US exports to Communist China. 1950 - Born this day, Joan Armatrading, in St Kitts, singer, songwriter, 1976 UK No.10 single Love and Affection, 1980 UK No.21 single Me, Myself, I, 1983 UK No.11 single Drop The Pilot. 1950 - Harry Gold got 30 years imprisonment for passing atomic bomb secrets to the Soviet Union during World War II (WWII). 1951 - Voters approved a merger of 3 states to form Baden-Württemberg, West Germany. 1952 - Born this day, Jim Kerr, radio personality, New York City morning radio for 22 years. 1952 - Born this day, Michael Dorn, actor (Worf-Star Trek Next Generation). 1953 - Born this day, World B. Free, NBA guard (Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors). 1953 - Born this day, John Malkovich, in Christopher, Illinois, Emmy Award-winning actor (Death of a Salesman [1986]; Mulholland Falls, Dangerous Liaisons, True West, The Killing Fields, The Sheltering Sky, Places in the Heart, Of Mice and Men, In the Line of Fire, Empire of the Sun). 1953 - Frank Sinatra recorded Young At Heart. The song was turned down by Nat ‘King’ Cole and other artists. It became a top hit in the US in March of 1954. 1953 - General Electric announced that all Communist employees would be fired. 1953 - In a Montréal Canadiens (106) vs Toronto Maple Leafs (98) game, there were 204 penalty minutes. 1953 - Born this day, Jill Saward, singer, Shakatak, 1981 UK No.12 single Easier Said Than Done, 1982 UK No.9 single Night Birds, 1984 UK No.9 single Down On The Street, plus 11 other UK chart entries. 1954 - Dmitri Shostakovich was appointed honoured guest of the Swedish Royal Music Academy. 1954 - Born this day, Herman Finkers, Dutch cabaret performer. 1954 - Born this day, Jack Hues, singer, Wang Chung (Everybody Have Fun Tonight). 1955 - Sugar Ray Robinson became the first ex-boxing champion to return from retirement and win back his title. He was also the first boxer to win the middleweight title three times when, on this date, he knocked out Carl 'Bobo' Olson in the second round of their Chicago bout. 1955 - Born this day, Otis Birdsong, basketball, guard, (University of Houston [Player of the Year: 1977]; Kansas City Kings, New Jersey Nets, Boston Celtics; four-time NBA all-star; scored over 14,000 career points). 1956 - The Million Dollar Session was held at Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee. Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis gathered for an impromptu jam session. Six songs by the artists were recorded at this session. None of the songs were released for nearly three decades. 1956 - Born this day, Sylvia (Sylvia Hutton) [Sylvia Allen], in Kokomo, Indiana, country singer (Nobody, You Don’t Miss a Thing, The Drifter, The Matador, Heart on the Mend, Sweet Yesterday). 1956 - Died this day, Hans Barth, composer, aged 59. 1957 - Died this day, Carswell Adams, sportscaster (Your Sports Special). 1957 - Born this day, Donny Osmond, in Ogden, Utah, singer, 1971 US No.1 single Go Away Little Girl, 1972 UK No.1 single Puppy Love, plus 7 other UK top 40 singles. Also with The Osmonds, 1974 UK No.1 single Love Me For A Reason plus 8 other UK top 40 singles, TV host (Donny & Marie), actor (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat). 1957 - The first Japanese ambassador to Israel was appointed. 1958 - Robert H.W. Welch Jr. and 11 other men met in Indianapolis to form the anti-Communist John Birch Society. 1958 - Born this day, Nancy J. Currie, in Wilmington, Delaware, Major Army, astronaut (STS 57, 70, sk: 88). 1958 - Born this day, Nick Seymour, Crowded House, 1992 UK No.7 single Weather With You. 1958 - In Indianapolis, retired Boston candy manufacturer Robert H.W. Welch Jr., established the John Birch Society, a right-wing organisation dedicated to fighting what it perceived to be the extensive infiltration of communism into American society. 1959 - Died this day, Walter Compton, news anchor (DuMont Evening News), aged 47. 1959 - Died this day, Kurt Kläber, writer. 1960 - Sperry Rand Corporation, of St. Paul, Minnesota, unveiled a new computer, known as Univac 1107. This new technology marvel used what was known as thin-film memory. 1960 - The first episode of Coronation Street was televised at 7.00pm in black and white, although it was not networked until Spring 1961. It was originally called Florizel Street. 1960 - Born this day, Juan Samuel, in San Pedro de Macoris, infielder (New York Yankees, Blue Jays). 1960 - The Laos government fled to Cambodia as the capital city of Vientiane was engulfed in war. 1961 - SS Colonel Adolf Eichmann was found guilty of war crimes in Israel. 1961 - Wilt Chamberlain of NBA Philadelphia Warriors scored 67 points vs New York. 1961 - From the Second City closed at Royale Theatre in New York City after 87 performances. 1961 - Let It Ride closed at Eugene O'Neill Theatre in New York City after 68 performances. 1961 - Born this day, Christiane Jolissaint, Switzerland, tennis player. 1961 - Born this day, Ian Andrew Wright, in Hamilton, New Zealand, rower (Olympics-1996). 1961 - Tanganyika became independent within the commonwealth; one year later, it became a republic within the commonwealth. It took the name Tanzania. 1961 - Born this day, Joe Lando, in Los Angeles, California, actor (Byron Sully-Dr Quinn). 1962 - Arizona's Petrified Forest National Park was established. 1962 - I Can Get It For You Wholesale closed on Broadway. 1962 - Tanganyika became a republic within the British Commonwealth. 1963 - Frank Sinatra Jr., was kidnapped. 1963 - Zanzibar gained independence from Britain. 1963 - Born this day, Bárbara Palacios, in Caracas, Venezuela, Miss Universe for 1986. 1963 - Born this day, Barry Wilburn, NFL full safety (Philadelphia Eagles). 1963 - Died this day, Philibert Schmitz, in Belgium, historian (Order of St BenoŒt), aged 75. 1963 - The first Supremes album, Meet The Supremes, was released. 1964 - Died this day, Dame Edith L. Sitwell, English poet, author (Wheels), aged 77. (sister of the writer Sir Osbert Sitwell). 1964 - Born this day, Petr Briza, in Prague, Czechoslovakia, hockey goalie (Team Czechoslovakia Representative). 1965 - Nikolai Podgorny replaced Anastas Mikoyan as President of Presidium. 1965 - Frank Robinson was traded from Cincinnati to the Orioles. 1965 - Born this day, Brad Savage, in Livdnia, Michigan, actor (Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice). 1965 - Born this day, Caryn Kadavy, in Erie, Pennsylvania, figure skater. 1965 - Born this day, Karla Nelson, in Pine City, Minnesota, bodybuilder-Ms America for 1993. 1965 - The television debut of the comic strip Peanuts gang, in A Charlie Brown Christmas, was on this date. More than 30 years later, it was still a perennial favourite. 1965 - Nikolai Podgorny replaced Anastas Mikoyan as Soviet president. 1966 - Barbados became the 122nd member of the United Nations (UN). 1966 - The album A Collection Of Beatles Oldies was released in the UK. 1966 - Died this day, Yury Alexandrovich Shaporin, composer, aged 79. 1966 - Born this day, Dana Murzyn, in Calgary, NHL defenseman (Vancouver Canucks). 1967 - Born this day, Cathy Mockett, in Newport Beach, California, LPGA golfer (1995 Youngstown-7th). 1967 - Born this day, Ray Agnew, NFL nose tackle (Carolina Panthers, New York Giants). 1967 - The Cunard liner Queen Mary docked at Long Beach, California, after her final voyage. 1967 - Lyndon Johnson's daughter Lynda got married in the White House. 1967 - Jim Morrison was arrested on stage for breach of peace in New Haven, Connecticut. 1967 - Nicolae Ceausescu became President (dictator) of Romania. 1968 - Doug Engelbart demonstrated the first computer mouse at Stanford. 1968 - KRNE TV channel 12 in Merriman, New England (PBS) began broadcasting. 1968 - Born this day, Brian Bell, Weezer, 1995 UK No.12 single Buddy Holly. 1968 - Born this day, Michael Foster, in Richmond, Virginia, drummer (Firehouse-Love of a Lifetime). 1968 - Born this day, Bill Johnson, NFL defensive linebacker (Pittsburgh Steelers). 1968 - The Supremes' and the Temptations' TCB (Takin' Care Of Business) special aired on NBC-TV. 1968 - Born this day, Brent Price, NBA guard (Houston Rockets, Washington Bullets). 1968 - Born this day, Kurt Angle, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 220 lbs freestyle wrestler (Olympics-gold-1996). 1969 - Born this day, Allison Smith, in the Bronx, New York, actress (Jennie-Cagney & Lacey, Kate & Allie). 1969 - Born this day, [Gregory] Greg Klingsporn, in Morristown, New Jersey, rower (Olympics-1996). 1969 - Born this day, Ramon Garcia, in Guanare, Venezuela, pitcher (Milwaukee Brewers). 1969 - Born this day, Jakob Dylan, in New York, NY, guitar, vocals, The Wallflowers, 1997 US No.3 album Bringing Down The Horse. Bob Dylan's son. 1969 - Charles Manson was formally charged with the 9 August 1969 slaying of Sharon Tate and others. 1970 - Born this day, Zak Foley, EMF, 1990 UK No.3 and 1991 US No.1 single Unbelievable. Died 31 December 2001 aged 31. 1970 - Born this day, David Kersh, in Humble, Texas, country singer (If I Never Stop Loving You). 1970 - Born this day, Donald Douglas, WLAF safety (Rhein Fire). 1970 - Born this day, Marlin Cannon, in Dallas, Texas, 200 metre, 400 metre runner. 1970 - Died this day, Artem Mikoyan, Russian aircraft designer (MIG), aged 65. 1970 - In the Dutch Antilles: the Government of Petronia fell. 1971 - Lewis F. Powell Jr., was appointed to the US Supreme Court. 1971 - Died this day, Ralph J. Bunche, United Nations (UN) delegate, Nobel Prize winner, aged 67 in New York, NY. 1971 - Born this day, Chris Boniol, NFL kicker (Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles). 1971 - Born this day, Clifton Abraham, NFL cornerback (Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers). 1971 - The Indian air force bombed an orphanage in Pakistan, killing 300 children. 1971 - Born this day, Petr Nedved, in Libercec, Czechoslovakia, NHL center (Team Czechoslovakia, Pittsburgh Penguins). 1971 - Born this day, Todd Van Poppel, in Hinsdale, Illinois, pitcher (Oakland A's). 1971 - Born this day, Geoff Barrow, Portishead, 1995 UK No.13 single Glory Box. 1972 - Keith Moon, Rod Stewart and Roger Daltrey opened the rock opera Tommy in London. The show featuring Tommy, Pinball Wizard and other tunes, was so hot that tickets sold for £50 and up. 1972 - Born this day, Frank Wright, [Tre Cool], drums, Green Day, 1995 UK No.7 single Basket Case. 1972 - Helen Reddy went to No.1 on the US singles chart with I Am Woman. It didn't chart in the UK. 1972 - The Moody Blues started a five week run at No.1 on the US album chart with Seventh Sojourn. 1972 - Born this day, Fabrice Santoro, in Tahiti, tennis player. 1972 - Born this day, Paul Greene, Australian 100 metre, 200 metre, 400 metre runner (Olympics-1996). 1973 - Marshall Efron's Illustrated, Simplified and Painless Sunday School first aired over CBS television. This religious series was broadcast on Sunday mornings until August 1977. 1973 - Born this day, Tony Batista, in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, infielder (Oakland A's). 1973 - Keith Moon, Rod Stewart and Roger Daltry opened the rock opera, Tommy, in london. The show, featuring Tommy, Pinball Wizard and other tunes, was so hot that tickets sold for $50 and up. 1973 - Following the resignation of Vice President Spiro T. Agnew, House Speaker Gerald R. Ford became the nation’s first, appointed Vice President. Later, he became the nation’s first, non-elected President upon the resignation of Richard Nixon. 1973 - Pajama Game opened at Lunt Fontanne Theatre in New York City for 65 performances. 1973 - Bruno Sammartino beat Stan Stasiak in New York, to become World Wrestling Federation (WWF) champion. 1973 - St Louis Cardinal Jim Bakken kicked six field goals vs Atlanta Falcons. 1973 - The Sunningdale Agreement in Northern Ireland. 1974 - Johnson Grigsby was freed after 66 years in jail. 1974 - The Dow Jones index hit 570.01. 1974 - Jack Brisco beat Giant Baba in Tokyo, to become NWA wrestling champion. 1974 - Died this day, George Carew, cricketer (4 Tests for West Indies between 1935 & 1949). 1974 - Died this day, Jorge Croner de Vasconcelos, composer, aged 64. 1974 - White House aide John Ehrlichman testified at the Watergate trial that President Nixon was responsible for the cover-up. 1975 - Born this day, Joshua Rudoy, actor (Harry & the Hendersons). 1975 - Born this day, Stuart McRae, Australian rower (Olympics-1996). 1975 - President Gerald Ford signed a $2.3 Billion loan-authorisation for New York City. 1975 - Jelena Bonner received Andrei Sacharov's Nobel Prize. 1975 - Died this day, William A. Wellman, US director (Ox Bow Incident), aged 79. 1976 - Died this day, Nino Martini, actor (Here's to Romance), aged 71. 1977 - Died this day, Clarice Lispector, writer. 1978 - Born this day, Mandy James, in Jacksonville, Florida, rhythmic gymnast (US team-1996). 1978 - Boney M had their second UK No.1 single with Mary's Boy Child. It was also the Christmas No.1 for 1978. 1978 - Chic started a 7 week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with Le Freak. It made it to No.7 in the UK. 1978 - Born this day, Chris Wolstenholme, bass, Muse, 2003 UK No.1 album Absolution, 2003 UK No.8 single Time Is Running Out. 1978 - The first game of the Women's Pro Basketball League (WBL) was played, Chicago Hustle vs Milwaukee Does. 1978 - Pioneer Venus 2 dropped five probes into the atmosphere of Venus. 1979 - Murle Breer and Dave Eichelberger won the LPGA J.C. Penney Golf Classic. 1979 - Died this day, Fulton J. Sheen, archbishop, religious broadcaster, in New York, NY aged 84. 1980 - 61ºF was recorded in Boston at 1am. 1981 - Died this day, Sonny Til, of the Orioles (Crying In The Chapel), of heart failure in a Baltimore hospital. 1981 - Porn star John Holmes was charged with the Laurel Canyon murders. 1982 - Died this day, Joey Forman, actor (Sid Caesar Show, Joey Bishop Show), aged 53. 1982 - Died this day, Leon Jaworski, Watergate special prosecutor, in Texas aged 77. 1982 - Died this day, Fritz Usinger, German writer (Song against Death), aged 87. 1982 - Died this day, Marty Robbins, country and western singer, of a heart attack in Nashville, Tennessee. 1982 - Mary-Beth and William Hurt divorced. 1982 - Steven Spielberg's science fiction film E.T. was first shown in Britain. 1982 - Died this day, Paul Godwin [Goldfein], Polish-Dutch violist, aged 80. 1982 - Died this day, Roger Danneels, Flemish accordionist, aged 55. 1983 - The movie Scarface was released, directed by Brian De Palma, it starred Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer, Steven Bauer, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Robert Loggia, Miriam Colon, F. Murray Abraham, Paul Shenar and Harris Yulin. 1983 - Attorney General Edwin Meese said people go to soup kitchens '...because the food is free and that's easier than paying for it'. 1983 - The US performed a nuclear test at the Nevada Test Site. 1983 - The movie Christine was released, directed by John Carpenter, it starred Keith Gordon, John Stockwell, Alexandra Paul, Robert Prosky, Harry Dean Stanton, Christine Belford, Roberts Blossom and Kelly Preston. 1983 - Died this day, David Rounds, actor (Terence-Beacon Hill), aged 53. 1983 - The movie Sudden Impact was released, directed by Clint Eastwood, it starred Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke, Pat Hingle, Bradford Dillman, Paul Drake, Jack Thibeau and Albert Popwell. 1984 - A 6-day hijack of a Kuwaiti jet ended. 1984 - In the 59th Australian Women's Tennis tournament, Chris Evert beat H Sukova (6-7, 6-1, 6-3). 1984 - Great Britain performed a nuclear test at the Nevada Test Site. 1984 - Vicki Alvarez and Mike McDonald won the LPGA J.C. Penney Golf Classic. 1984 - The Jackson’s Victory Tour came to a close at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, after 55 performances in 19 cities. The production was reported to be the world’s greatest rock extravaganza and one of the most problematic. The Jackson brothers received about $50 million during the five-month tour of the US - before some 2.5 million fans. 1984 - Walter Payton, of the Chicago Bears, got another first as he ran six plays, as quarterback. He was intercepted twice, but ran the ball himself on four carries. It didn’t help. The Green Bay packers still won, 20-14. Payton said after the game, 'It was okay, but I wouldn’t want to do it for a living'. 1984 - Eric Dickerson, then of the Los Angeles Rams, became only the second pro football player to run for more than 2,000 yards (2,105) in a season. He passed O.J. Simpson’s record of 2,003 as the Rams beat the Houston Oilers, 27-16. 1984 - Appearing at The Powerhouse, Birmingham, were Lloyd Cole and the Commotions. Spandau Ballet were playing at Wembley Arena, London. 1985 - Phoenix, Arizona got 3 inches of snow. 1985 - In the 74th Australian Men's Tennis tournament, Stefan Edberg beat Mats Wilander (6-4 6-3 6-3). 1985 - Jerry Rice began an NFL streak of 100+ consecutive game receptions. 1985 - OPEC oil ministers abandoned the struggle to control production and prices, setting the stage for a global oil price war. 1985 - Former Argentine president Jorge Videla and his fellow junta member, Admiral Emilio Massera, were sentenced to life imprisonment for their part in the 'dirty war' against left-wing guerrillas in which up to 9,000 people disappeared. 1986 - Greyhound Ballyregan Bob, was retired after winning a world record 32 consecutive races. 1987 - Larry Bird, ended a streak of 59 consecutive free throws. 1987 - The first riots of the intifada, or Palestinian uprising, erupted on the Gaza Strip. 1988 - According to a poll released in the US, the music of Neil Diamond was favoured as the best background music for sex, Beethoven was the second choice and Luther Vandross was voted third. 1988 - The movie Mississippi Burning was released, directed by Alan Parker, it starred Gene Hackman, Willem Dafoe, Frances McDormand and Brad Dourif. It received an Academy Award for Cinematography (Peter Biziou) and received Academy Awards nominations for Best Picture (Frederick Zollo - Producer, Robert F. Colesberry - Producer), Actor (Gene Hackman), Supporting Actress (Frances McDormand), Director (Alan Parker), Film Editing (Gerry Hambling) and Sound (Robert Litt, Elliot Tyson, Rick Kline, Danny Michael). 1988 - New York Yankees signed a 12-year television contract with Madison Square Garden for $500 million. 1989 - Les Miserables opened at Princess Theatre, in Melbourne, Australia. 1989 - Billy Joel started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with We Didn't Start The Fire. It was a No.7 hit in the UK. 1989 - Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci, winner of several gold medals as a teenager at the 1976 Olympics, defected to southern Florida. Accompanying her was Constantin Panait, a roofer who was married and the father of four children. 1990 - Died this day, Mike Mazurski, wrestler, actor (Centerfold Girls), aged 80. 1990 - Lech Walesa, the former leader of the trade union Solidarity, won a landslide victory in Poland's first direct presidential vote. 1990 - NFL New York Giant Otis Anderson became the 8th to rush for 10,000th yard. 1990 - Betsy King won the Itoman LPGA World Match Play Golf Championship. 1990 - Paula Abdul was taken to North Hollywood Medical Centre after being involved in a car crash in Los Angeles. 1990 - Gunda Niemann skated a ladies world record 3km in 4 minutes 10.80 seconds. 1990 - Houston scored the most points against Cleveland, Oilers 58, Browns 14. 1991 - It was revealed that £420m was missing from pension funds controlled by newspaper tycoon Robert Maxwell. 1991 - The second Billboard Music Awards were made. 1992 - British Prime Minister John Major announced the formal separation of Prince Charles and Princess Diana. (The couple’s divorce became final 28 August 1996.) 1992 - US Marines stormed into Mogadishu, in Somalia, spearheading an international effort to overcome one of the worst famines this century. They were there to ensure the delivery of food and medicine. 1992 - Died this day, Carl Barger, baseball president (Pittsburgh Pirates, Florida Marlins), aged 62. 1992 - Died this day, Vincent Gardenia, actor (All in the Family, LA Law), aged 71. 1992 - The third Billboard Music Awards were made. 1992 - Cincinnati Red owner Marge Schott apologised for racist remarks. 1992 - The New Jersey Devils organisation announced that it would change its colours to black, red, and white for the 1992-93 season. 1992 - Operation Restore Hope - US Marines landed in Somalia, to ensure food and medicine reaches the deprived areas of that country. 1992 - Sri Lanka's got their third-ever Test Cricket victory (v New Zealand by 9 wickets). 1992 - Bill Wyman retired from the Rolling Stones. 1993 - Ivory Coast Premier Ouattara resigned. 1993 - Died this day, Danny Blanchflower, North Ireland soccer union coach, aged 67. 1993 - My Fair Lady opened at Virginia Theatre in New York City for 165 performances. 1993 - Died this day, Muhammad Reza Golpayegani, ayatollah of Iran. 1993 - US astronauts finished a grueling five-day repair work on the $3 billion Hubble Space Telescope. 1994 - A 5 metre meteor, 1994 XM1, passed within 100,000km of Earth. 1994 - Britain and Sinn Fein, the Irish Republican Army's political wing, held their first formal talks for more than 70 years. 1994 - President Clinton fired US Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders for reportedly suggesting that masturbation be taught in the schools. 1994 - Died this day, Garnet Silk, Jamaican reggae-singer, aged 28. 1994 - Died this day, Kim II Sung, President of North Korea (1945-94), aged 82. 1994 - Died this day, Maureen Cox Starkey, ex-wife of Ringo, of Leukemia aged 48. 1994 - Died this day, Max Bill, Swiss painter, sculptor, politician, aged 85. 1995 - Died this day, Benny Lee, entertainer, aged 84. 1995 - Died this day, Douglas 'Wrong Way' Corrigan, aviator. 1995 - The 61st Heisman Trophy Award was made to Eddie George, Ohio State (RB). 1995 - The Beatles Anthology 1 was No.1 in the US. The double CD contained 60 Beatles songs and was the their sixteenth number-one album. It also set a record for the longest time span for a run of number-one albums: 31 years and 10 months between Meet the Beatles and Anthology 1. 1995 - Died this day, Hugh Armstrong Clegg, industrial relations academic, aged 75. 1995 - Died this day, Toni Cade Bambara, filmmaker, aged 56. 1995 - Died this day, Vitali Viktorovich Savitsky, biologist, politician, aged 40. 1995 - Died this day, Vivian Blaine, actress (Guys & Dolls), of heart failure aged 74. 1995 - The board of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) unanimously elected Kweisi Mfume its top executive officer. 1995 - Poland's Supreme Court confirmed the victory of ex-communist Aleksander Kwasniewski in November's presidential election, rejecting protests from supporters of defeated former Solidarity hero Lech Walesa. 1995 - Died this day, Darren Robinson, founder member of The Fat Boys. 1995 - Michael Jackson scored his 6th solo UK No.1 single when Earth Song started a 6 week run at the top. It also gave Jackson the UK Christmas No.1 for the year of 1995. 1996 - The United Nations (UN) authorised the start of a long-delayed oil-for-food deal with Iraq, enabling Baghdad to make a limited return to the world oil market for the first time since its 1990 invasion of Kuwait. 1996 - Died this day, Alain Emile Louis Marie Poher, French President of European Parliament (1966-69), aged 87. 1996 - Died this day, Anne Bolt, photo-journalist, trade unionist, aged 84. 1996 - Died this day, Faron Young, country singer, committed suicide aged 64. 1996 - Died this day, Ivor Roberts-Jones, sculptor, aged 83. 1996 - Died this day, Mary Douglas Nichol Leakey, archaeologist, anthropologist, aged 83. 1996 - Died this day, Raphael Samuel, historian, aged 32. 1997 - Actor Christian Slater was sentenced to 90 days in jail for battery and being under the influence of a controlled substance. He was arrested on 11 August after a cocaine and heroin binge ended with him assaulting an officer. 1997 - Died this day, Tamara Geva, dancer, aged 91. 1997 - Police in South Carolina investigated a complaint by a woman who claimed actor Edward James Olmos forced her 'to do things she didn't want to do', in the words of one source quoted in New York Post, in a hotel room there the previous October. The acclaimed actor age 50 and married, couldn't comment on the case, but his attorney Richard Harpootlian told the Post that the accuser - described as a 38-year-old housewife - was a stalker-type looking for money who failed a lie-detector test about her encounter with Olmos. 'We have one witness who says the woman stalked and followed Mr. Olmos to his hotel, then came back the next morning', Harpootlian said. The sex probe was abandoned by police a few days later when the charges were dropped. 1997 - Oasis played the first of three sold out nights at Wembley Arena, London, supported by Supergrass. 1998 - All Saint Nicole Appleton walked out during the recording of BBC2's Later saying she had quit the band. 1998 - CBS Corporation raised $2.9 billion by selling a 17 percent stake in Infinity Broadcasting Corporation, its radio and outdoor advertising business. The initial public offering of stock is the largest ever in the media industry. 1999 - President Bill Clinton signed legislation outlawing 'crush videos', which generally involved women stomping frogs, mice, or other small animals with high heels. 2000 - Plans for a £675m reconstruction of Wembley were officially abandoned by the Football Association (FA). 2000 - Sharon Corr of The Corrs called for the legalisation of cannabis, claiming that the drug has medicinal properties. Sharon said, 'Certainly people with certain conditions can get a brief reprieve from their symptoms through cannabis'. 2001 - Channel 4 TV apologised to viewers after Madonna said 'motherf*cker' during live TV coverage at The Tate gallery. Madonna was presenting a prize to artist Martin Creed. A TV spokesman said that they did have a bleeper system but they missed it. 2001 - The Government was accused of 'bullying' after going on the offensive against opposition peers who defeated its anti-terrorism legislation. 2001 - Usher went to No.1 on the US singles chart with U Got It Bad. 2001 - Winners at The Smash Hits awards included Atomic Kitten, Best single for Whole Again, Westlife won Best album for World Of Our Own, Blue won Best newcomer, Steps won Best live act and Britney Spears won Best Female Act. 2002 - Stereolab singer Mary Hanson was killed in a cycling accident after colliding with a tipper truck in East London. 2003 - Ozzy Osbourne was admitted to Wexham Park Hospital in Slough, Berkshire after being injured in a quad bike accident at his UK home. The 55 year-old singer broke his collarbone, eight ribs and a vertebra in his neck. News of Osbourne's accident reached the House of Commons, where the government sent a goodwill message. 2003 - 'A Celebrity Thumbprints' auction took place on ebayliveauctions.com. Beyonce, Kelly Osbourne, Coldplay, Blue and Westlife were among the stars whose thumbprints went under the hammer. 2340 - Born this day, Worf, Klingon character on Star Trek Next Generation. |
Trivia
Trivia - petty details or considerations, matters or things that are very unimportant, inconsequential, or nonessential; trifles; trivialities.
Trivial - of very little importance or value; insignificant: "Don't bother me with trivial matters." Trivially - unimportant, nugatory, slight, immaterial, inconsequential, frivolous, trifling.