Swimmers assist Apollo 17 astronauts Eugene A. Cernan,
left, Ronald E. Evans, and Harrison H. “Jack” Schmitt in
the life raft. (NASA Image)

The Apollo Lunar-Landing program came to an
end on December 19, 1972, when the last three
astronauts to travel to the moon splashed
down safely in the  Pacific Ocean.

Apollo 17 had lifted off from Cape Canaveral,
Florida 10 days before.

        

         
         
       

"The Lion Sleeps Tonight" is a song originally written and
first recorded in 1939 by Solomon Linda under the title
"Mbube", through South African Gallo Record Company.

In 1961, a version adapted into English by the doo-wop
group the Tokens became a number-one hit in the United
States on this day in 1961. It earned millions in royalties
from cover versions and film licensing.

Lyrics of Linda’s original version were written in Zulu, while
those from the Tokens’ adaptation were written by George
David Weiss.

The song has been adapted and covered internationally by
many pop and folk artists. It was first recorded in the United
States by the Weavers in November 1951, and published
under the title "Wimoweh."

The Tokens

On December 18, 1620, with the English ship Mayflower
anchored in Plymouth Harbor, Massachusetts, a small
party of sailors from the vessel went ashore, as its
passengers prepare to begin their new settlement,
Plymouth Colony.

On December 18, 1932, the Chicago Bears defeated the
Portsmouth (Ohio) Spartans, 9-0, in the NFL’s first playoff
game—and first game played indoors.

Filmmaker Steven Allan Spielberg is a major figure of the New
Hollywood era and pioneer of the modern blockbuster. He is
widely regarded as one of the greatest film directors of all time
and is the most commercially successful director in film history
with many accolades, including three Academy Awards. 

Spielberg was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and grew up in Phoenix,
Arizona. He moved to California and studied film in college. He’s
78 today.