Humphrey DeForest Bogart (December 25, 1899 – January 14, 1957)
Humphrey Bogart played Rick Blaine in Casablanca (1942) and Sam Spade in The Maltese Falcon (1941). The American Film Institute called him the greatest male
star in cinema’s history in 1999. His other film credits include The Big Sleep (1946)
The African Queen (1951) and The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948).
1954
Humphrey Bogart and wife Lauren Bacall in 1955.
SANDY KOZEL
On this day in 1776, Gen. George Washington and his troops crossed
the Delaware River for a surprise attack against Hessian forces at Trenton, NJ.
Map of Delaware River area depicting route George Washington
and his Army made during the crossing. (click to enlarge)
On this day in 1991, Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev went on television to announce his resignation as leader of a Communist superpower that had already gone out of existence.
On this day in 1989, ousted Romanian President Nicolae Ceausescu
and his wife, Elena, were executed following a popular uprising.
"Silent Night" was performed for the first time, at the Church of
St. Nikolaus in Oberndorff, Austria (above) on this day in 1818.
Josephus Franciscus Mohr (December 11, 1792 – December 4, 1848)
The German words for the original six stanzas of the carol we know as "Silent Night" were written by Joseph Mohr in 1816, when he was a young priest
assigned to a pilgrimage church in Mariapfarr, Austria.
A 1983 Christmas comedy film directed by Bob Clark, and based on Jean
Shepherd‘s semi-fictional anecdotes in his 1966 book In God We Trust: All
Others Pay Cash, with some elements from his 1971 book Wanda Hickey’s
Night of Golden Memories.
Peter Billingsley-Michaelsen turned 46 on April 16.
A rare behind-the-scenes photo.
1930’s
SANDY KOZEL
The United States Senate ratified a treaty that included the
Louisiana Territories from France for $15 million on this day
in 1803. The transfer was completed with formal ceremonies
in New Orleans.
Hoisting of American Colors over Louisiana. Painting depicting
first raising of the USA flag with the Louisiana Purchase, in main
plaza (now Jackson Square), New Orleans.
South Carolina became the first state to secede from the American
Union on this day in 1860.
Members of the South Carolina Secession Convention unanimously
vote to secede from the American Union..
On this day in 1989, General Noriega, Panama’s former dictator,
was overthrown by a United States invasion force invited by the
new civilian government. The project was known as Operation
Just Cause.
US soldiers secure a position outside the embassy in Panama City.
On this day in 1999, the Vermont Supreme Court ruled homosexual couples were entitled to the same benefits and protections as
wedded couples of the opposite sex.
The Frank Capra film "It’s A Wonderful Life" had a preview showing
for charity at New York City’s Globe Theatre on this day in 1946, a
day before its "official" world premiere. James Stewart and Donna
Reed star in the film.
ROSS SIMPSON
On this day in 1944, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the wartime relocation of Japanese-Americans, but also stated that undeniably
loyal Americans of Japanese ancestry could not be detained.
The United States began the heaviest bombing of North Vietnam
during the Vietnam War on this day in 1972. The attack ended 12
days later.
On this day in 1892, Tchaikovsky’s "The Nutcracker" publicly
premiered in St. Petersburg, Russia.
“Snow Flakes” from the 1892 production of “The Nutcracker.”
Steven Allan Spielberg is 71 years old today. He was
born in Cincinnati, OH.
Celebrated director Steven Spielberg achieved box office
records with the blockbuster films Jaws (1975) E.T. (1982)
and Jurassic Park (1993). He received the Academy Award
for Best Director for the films Schindler’s List (1993) and
Saving Private Ryan (1998). He also directed the action/
adventure classic trilogy Indiana Jones, starring Harrison
Ford, in the ’80s.
This 1971 film is the directing debut of Steven Spielberg.
