Today in History

James Brown, the “Godfather of Soul”, dies at age 73.

Mikhail Gorbachev, the Soviet Union’s first and last executive president, resigns. The Soviet Union no longer exsists.

Egypt begins major restoration of the Sphinx.

Over 100 Muslims, returning from a pilgrimage to Mecca, die when their boat sinks.

Merry Christmas!Christmas is the festival celebrating the birth of Christ and is observed in most countries on December 25. Christmas is sometimes called Yule (from the Anglo-Saxon) or Noel (from the French). Christian churches throughout the world hold special services on Christmas Day to give thanks for the birth of Christ.nnIn addition to religious observances, Christmas is a time of merrymaking and feasting. North American customs are a combination of those of the various European countries from which the original settlers came. On Christmas Eve children hang stockings for Santa Claus to fill with gifts. The Christmas tree, usually an evergreen, was first used in Germany. Topped with a star or spire and decorated with colored lights and shiny ornaments, the tree plays an important part in the celebration.nnMistletoe was sacred to the Druids, priests of ancient Britain and Gaul. The Norse used holly and the Yule log to keep away evil spirits. Gifts were exchanged during the Roman celebration of the Saturnalia, a feast to the god Saturn. Gift-giving came to symbolize the gifts brought to the Christ Child by the Magi.nnThe most popular Christmas legend however, is that of Santa Claus, whose name came from Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children. Many of the qualities that Santa Claus is known for came from Clement C. Moore’s poem “A Visit From St. Nicholas.”

U.S. astronauts onboard the Skylab space station take a seven-hour walk in space and photograph the comet Kohoutek.

Entertainer Chris Noel gives her first performance for the USO at two hospitals in California; became a star on Armed Forces Radio and Television, entertaining troops in Vietnam; in 1984 Veterans Network honored her with a Distinguished Vietnam Veteran award.

The Bay of Pigs captives, upon their return to the United States, vow to return to Cuba and topple Fidel Castro.

Steve Wariner, country singer, songwriter, musician (“All Roads Lead to You,” “Life’s Highway”).

Karl Rove, White House Deputy Chief of Staff in the George W. Bush administration.

Sissy Spacek, actress; won Academy Award for Best Actress portraying country singer Loretta Lynn in Coal Miner’s Daughter (1980).

Barbara Mandrell, country singer; twice Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year (“Sleeping Single in a Double Bed”).

Jimmy Buffett, singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer, actor (“Margaritaville,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise”).

Ken Stabler, pro football quarterback nicknamed “The Snake” for his ability to evade tacklers.

Prime Minister Winston Churchill goes to Athens to seek an end to the Greek civil war.

Free French troops occupy the French Islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon off the Canadian coast.

Bob James, Grammy-winning jazz musician, arranger and producer.

Princess Alexandra, the Honourable Lady Ogilvy, youngest granddaughter of King George V and Queen Mary.

The Mexican congress opens land to foreign investors, reversing the 1917 ban enacted to preserve the domestic economy.

Sam Pollock, general manager of the National Hockey League of Canada and the USA; member of Hockey Hall of Fame; a public square in Montreal is named in his honor.

Rod Serling, screenwriter, producer; created The Twilight Zone TV series.

Paul David, founder of the Montreal Heart Institute.

Anwar Sadat, Egyptian president (1970 to 1981) and Nobel Peace Prize winner.

German and British troops on the Western Front declare an unofficial truce to celebrate Christmas during World War I.

Italy lands troops in Albania to protect its interests during a revolt there.

Cab Calloway, band leader, the first Jazz singer to sell a million records.

Rosa Luxemburg, Polish-born founder of the Spartacus League which later became the German Communist Party.

President and Mrs. Lincoln visit hospitals in the Washington D.C. area on this Christmas Day.

Stonewall Jackson spends Christmas with his wife; their last together.

Clara Barton, founder of the Red Cross.

Patriot General George Washington crosses the Delaware River with 5,400 troops during the American Revolution. Washington hoped to surprise a Hessian force celebrating Christmas at their winter quarters in Trenton, New Jersey.

The General Court of Boston levies a five shilling fine on anyone caught “observing any such day as Christmas.”

Sir Isaac Newton, English mathematician and scientist who enunciated the laws of motion and the law of gravity.

The governor of New Plymouth prevents newcomers from playing cards.

William I is crowned king of England.

The pope crowns Charlemagne emperor in Rome.

In Milan, Ambrose, the Bishop of Milan, forces the emperor Theodosius to perform public penance for his massacre.