December 23rd
Today in 1783,George Washington resigned as commander-in-chief of the Army and retired to his home at Mount Vernon, Virginia.
Today in 1823, the poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” by Clement Clarke Moore, was first published in a New York paper. The poem is more commonly known as “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.”
Today in 1942, Bob Hope agreed to entertain U.S. airmen in Alaska. It was the first of his famed USO Christmas shows.
Today in 1947,the transistor – which had been invented by Bell Laboratories –was successfully demonstrated for the first time. The development rendered the old, vacuum-style tubes obsolete.
Today in 1985,a jury in Santa Barbara, California ruled that the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company was not responsible for the cancer death of a cigarette smoker.
Today in 1987,Manson family member, Lynette "Squeaky" From me (serving a life sentence for the attempted assassination of President Ford in 1975),escaped from the Alderson Federal Prison for Women in West Virginia. She was recaptured three days later.
Today in 1997,the U.S. Agriculture Department estimated the costs of raising a child to the age of 18 to be $149,820. That cost has since risen to $233,610.
Today in 1999,President Bill Clinton pardoned Freddie Meeks, a Black sailor court-martialed for mutiny during World War II when he and 50 other Black sailors refused to load live ammunition following a deadly explosion at the Port Chicago Naval Magazine near San Francisco. What happened? Officials say two ships loaded with 10-thousand tons of ammunition, which exploded on July 17, 1944. In all, 320 servicemen were killed and nearly 400 others were injured – it was the worst stateside disaster of World War II. Meeks and the others refused to return to work for fear of their safety as they had no training on handling live munitions. Families of the others have petitioned other presidents– including President Obama – for years to clear the names of their loved ones, to no avail.
Today in 2003,Americareported its first case of mad cow disease as a slaughtered cow from a Washington farm tested positive for the illness. Several countries subsequently banned the importation of U-S beef.
The “Full Tilt” List – Today, December 23rd
Today in 1783,George Washington resigned as commander-in-chief of the Army and retired to his home at Mount Vernon, Virginia.
Today in 1823, the poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” by Clement Clarke Moore, was first published in a New York paper. The poem is more commonly known as “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.”
Today in 1888, artist Vincent Van Gogh hacked off part of his left ear with a rusty razor. While the mythology is that he did while angry with a woman (then wrapping it up and sent it to her with a note saying, “Keep this object carefully”) it may not be the case. There are rumors that he did it in a fit of rage when arguing with Gauguin…but also, that he gave it to a woman as a gift of sympathy. Either way, Van Gogh killed himself two years later.
Today in 1912,Keystone released its first "Kop" film, "Hoffmeyer's Legacy." The "Keystone Kops" films were made through 1920.
Today in 1942, Bob Hope agreed to entertain U.S. airmen in Alaska. It was the first of his famed USO Christmas shows.
Today in 1947,the transistor – which had been invented by Bell Laboratories –was successfully demonstrated for the first time. The development rendered the old, vacuum-style tubes obsolete.
Today in 1954,the film, "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea," starring Kirk Douglas and James Mason, opened in theaters nationwide.
Today in 1967, the film, "The Graduate," starring Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft, premiered.
Today in 1970, the first of the World Trade Center towers in New York City were completed. Tower Two was completed July 19th, 1971 – and from 1971 to 1973, these buildings were the tallest in the world at 1,368-feet and 1,362-feet
Today in 1971,the film, "Dirty Harry," starring Clint Eastwood, opened in theaters nationwide.
Today in 1971,President Richard Nixon commuted Jimmy Hoffa's jail term.
Today in 1985,a jury in Santa Barbara, California ruled that the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company was not responsible for the cancer death of a cigarette smoker.
Today in 1987,Manson family member, Lynette "Squeaky" From me (serving a life sentence for the attempted assassination of President Ford in 1975),escaped from the Alderson Federal Prison for Women in West Virginia. She was recaptured three days later.
Today in 1997,the U.S. Agriculture Department estimated the costs of raising a child to the age of 18 to be $149,820. That cost has since risen to $233,610.
Today in 1999,President Bill Clinton pardoned Freddie Meeks, a Black sailor court-martialed for mutiny during World War II when he and 50 other Black sailors refused to load live ammunition following a deadly explosion at the Port Chicago Naval Magazine near San Francisco. What happened? Officials say two ships loaded with 10-thousand tons of ammunition, which exploded on July 17, 1944. In all, 320 servicemen were killed and nearly 400 others were injured – it was the worst stateside disaster of World War II. Meeks and the others refused to return to work for fear of their safety as they had no training on handling live munitions. Families of the others have petitioned other presidents– including President Obama – for years to clear the names of their loved ones, to no avail.
Today in 2003,Americareported its first case of mad cow disease as a slaughtered cow from a Washington farm tested positive for the illness. Several countries subsequently banned the importation of U-S beef.
Today in 2004,an 8.1-magnitude earthquake hit Macquarie Island in the Southern Ocean.
Today in 2012,200 civilians were killed by Syrian government warplanes in what became known as the Helfaya Massacre.
Today in 2016,United Nations Security Council adopted a landmark resolution demanding a halt to all Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory occupied since 1967. Resolution 2334 was moved by New Zealand, Malaysia, Senegal and Venezuela and passed 14-0 with the United States abstaining.