The movie “It’s A Wonderful  Life” is based on ‘The Greatest
Gift,’ a short story by Philip Van Doren Stern. He originally
started writing the story in 1939, but had no luck publishing
it at first.

After failing to find a publisher, Stern decided to print his story
as a 21-page Christmas card that he sent to 200 of his friends
in 1943.

An RKO Pictures producer saw the "card" and convinced the
studio to buy the rights to the story, which were eventually
sold to Frank Capra’s production company, Liberty Films.

Stern’s short story was also eventually published as a book in
1944—and Stern also sold the story to Good Housekeeping,
which published it in its January 1945 issue under the title
"The Man Who Was Never Born."

Philip Van Doren Stern
(September 10, 1900 – July 31, 1984)

(FOX NEWS) – Retired Associate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor,
the first woman to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court, has died. 

The high court said O’Connor died Friday morning in Phoenix
of complications related to advanced dementia, probably
Alzheimer’s, and a respiratory illness.

O’Connor is sworn in by Chief Justice Warren Burger as
her husband John O’Connor looks on.

                                                

1962

Frances Hussey Sternhagen
(January 13, 1930 – November 27, 2023 at age 93)

 
Sternhagen was a popular character actress who
appeared on– and off-Broadway, in movies, and
on television for over six decades. She received
numerous accolades including two Tony Awards,
a Drama Desk Award, a Saturn Award, as well as
nominations for three Primetime Emmy Awards.

She gained prominence and Primetime Emmy
Award nominations for her recurring roles as
Esther Clavin in the NBC sitcom Cheers
(1986–1993).

Henry Alfred Kissinger  (May 27, 1923 – November 29, 2023)

Henry Kissinger, the influential former U.S. Secretary of State
who earned a reputation as a sagacious diplomat but drew
international condemnation and accusations of war crimes
for his key role in widening the American presence in Vietnam
and the U.S. bombing of Cambodia, died Wednesday.

He served as Secretary of State and national security adviser
under two Republican presidents, Richard Nixon and Gerald
Ford, and advised powerful leaders in both American political
parties for decades.

Henry Kissinger President Richard Nixon.

Kissinger and President Gerald Ford.

(FOX NEWS) – Former Denver Broncos defensive lineman
Harald Hasselbach has died after a six-month bout with
cancer.  

The two-time Super Bowl champion’s family announced
his death Thursday, saying he was "free of pain."

According to the family, Hasselbach had been diagnosed
with metastatic mucinous adenocarcinoma.