More than two years after the Berlin Wall was constructed by
East Germany to prevent its citizens from fleeing its communist
regime, nearly 4,000 West Berliners were allowed to cross into
East Berlin to visit relatives.
Under an agreement reached between East and West Berlin,
more than 170,000 passes were eventually issued to West
Berlin citizens, each pass allowing a one-day visit to
communist East Berlin.
SANDY KOZEL
Premiered on this day in New York in 1946.
Although it was nominated for five Academy Awards, including
Best Picture, It’s a Wonderful Life initially received mixed
reviews and was unsuccessful at the box office.
It’s a Wonderful Life is now considered to be one of the greatest
films of all time and among the best Christmas films. It was one
of Stewart’s favorite films.
On December 20, 1957, while spending the Christmas holidays
at Graceland, his newly purchased Tennessee mansion, rock-
and-roll star Elvis Presley received his draft notice for the
United States Army.
First edition cover (1843).
On December 19, 1843, Charles Dickens’ classic story
“A Christmas Carol”was published.
"Marley’s Ghost", original illustration by John Leech
from the 1843 edition.
Charles John Huffam Dickens
(1812 – 1870)
