(FOX NEWS) – "A Charlie Brown Christmas," a beloved holiday
television tradition for generations of American families, debuted
to overwhelming popular acclaim despite network fears of failure
on this day in history, Dec. 9, 1965.

Expectations were low for its success, according to several
accounts of the history of the broadcast.

CBS executives were underwhelmed by the slow pace of the
production; and the network had battled behind the scenes
with "Peanuts" creator Charles M. Schulz over the inclusion
of a scene lifted straight from the New Testament of the Bible.

Charles Monroe "Sparky" Schulz 
(November 26, 1922 – February 12, 2000)

The actor Al Pacino stars as a Cuban refugee who becomes a
Miami crime boss in Scarface, which opened in theaters on
December 9, 1983.

Alfredo James Pacino turned 83 April 25th.

On December 9, 1979, a commission of scientists declared that
smallpox had been eradicated. The disease, which carries around
a 30 percent chance of death for those who contract it, is the only infectious disease afflicting humans that has officially been
eradicated.    
    
Recent research indicates that the smallpox virus may have evolved
as late as 1580 CE.

Dr. Donald A. Henderson (1928-2016) was the epidemiologist
who led the international war on smallpox that resulted
in its eradication.

A self-described “disease detective,” Dr. Henderson being
vaccinated for smallpox.