Holidays
Festivus
"Festivus, the holiday for the rest of us". As seen on the TV show Seinfeld, it is celebrated with an undecorated aluminum "Festivus Pole," "Feats of Strength," "Airing of Grievances," and attributing ordinary events to "Festivus Miracles." "I've got a lot of problems with you people!"
It is based on the real-life experiences of Seinfeld writer Daniel O'Keefe (see The Real Festivus).
What Happened On
World Trade Center
December 23, 1970
The World Trade Center is topped out. At 1,350 feet and 110 stories it was the world's tallest building at the time. However, this record was broken in 1973 by the Sears Tower. It would be bombed by terrorists in 1993 and destroyed in the 2001 9/11 Attacks.
Crew upon release (left) and captives displaying the "Hawaiian Good Luck Sign"
Crew upon release (left) and captives displaying the "Hawaiian Good Luck Sign"
USS Pueblo Crew Released
December 23, 1968
The North Koreans release the crew members of the USS Pueblo after holding them for 11 months. They had been captured in January.
The crew can be seen displaying the "Hawaiian Good Luck Sign" in a number of propaganda photos of the crew taken by the North Koreans. This was done until the North Koreans found out what it really meant.
The Pueblo is still held by North Korea and is still a commissioned U.S. Navy vessel.
Chuck Berry Arrested
December 23, 1959
Rock 'n' roll pioneer Chuck Berry is arrested for violating the Mann Act for bringing a 14-year-old across state lines to work as a hat-check girl in his St. Louis nightclub. He was also accused of having sex with her. He was convicted and served 20 months in prison. He had hired her, but fired her after two weeks. Several days after she was fired she was arrested for prostitution and told police about her relationship with Berry, which led to his arrest.
World War II - Tojo Hanged
December 23, 1948
Japanese Prime Minister Hideki Tojo is hanged for war crimes committed by the Japanese during World War II. It is estimated that between 3,000,000 and 14,000,000 civilians and prisoners of war were killed through massacre, human experimentation, starvation, and forced labor during Tojo's rule of the military. He accepted full responsibility for his actions, denying the Emperor was to blame.
During his arrest, he attempted suicide by shooting himself in the chest, but he missed his heart and survived.
While incarcerated, he received a new set of dentures made by an American dentist with the phrase "Remember Pearl Harbor" secretly inscribed in them using Morse code.
Self-portrait with Bandaged Ear (1890)
Self-portrait with Bandaged Ear (1890)
Van Gogh Chops His Ear
December 23, 1888
The Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh cuts off part of his ear with a razor during a fit of dementia. He and Paul Gauguin had been living and working together in Arles, France when tensions developed and Van Gogh threatened Gauguin with a knife. After Gauguin left, Van Gogh used the knife to cut off part of his own ear and then reportedly wrapped it up and gave it to a prostitute at a nearby brothel. Following a short hospital stay to mend the ear, Van Gogh checked into a mental hospital where he stayed for over a year.
During this time he went back and forth between madness and extreme creativity, producing some of his most famous works, including Starry Night and Self-portrait with Bandaged Ear. He also painted a portrait of Doctor Félix Rey who treated his ear wound, giving the portrait to Dr. Rey. Rey didn't like the painting and used it at first to repair a chicken coop and then gave it away. The painting is now valued at over $50 million.
Van Gogh left the clinic in May of 1890, only to commit suicide two months later.
The Night Before Christmas
December 23, 1823
Clement Clarke Moore's famous Christmas poem is first published. Originally titled "A Visit from St. Nicholas," it started with the now famous lines,
"Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro' the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse."
Jacquard loom on display at the Manchester museum of science and industry
Jacquard loom on display at the Manchester museum of science and industry
First Programmable Loom
December 23, 1801
The first programmable loom capable of weaving figured patterns is patented by French inventor Joseph Marie Jacquard.
Around-the-World Flight
December 23, 1986
First nonstop around-the-world flight without refueling is completed, by Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager flying the aircraft Voyager. The nine-day flight began on the 14th.
Judas Priest Suicide Case
December 23, 1985
Two men (ages 18 and 20) attempt suicide after spending the afternoon doing drugs, alcohol, and listening to Judas Priest music. One died and the other was severely disfigured. The parents later sued the band, claiming their music contained subliminal messages urging them to commit suicide.
Bay of Pigs Invasion
December 23, 1962
The Cuban government begins releasing prisoners captured during the Bay of Pigs invasion in exchange for $50,000,000 in food and medical supplies.
Crossed the Atlantic in a 15-foot Boat
December 23, 1952
Frenchman, Alain Bombard, completes his solo voyage across the Atlantic Ocean in a 15-foot long boat with almost no provisions. He survived by eating raw fish and plankton, although he still lost 55 pounds. He began his journey on October 19. He just wanted to prove that it could be done.
Federal Reserve System
December 23, 1913
The U.S. Federal Reserve System is established by the Federal Reserve Act. It serves as the nation's central bank.
Washington Resigns as Commander in Chief
December 23, 1783
George Washington resigns as commander in chief of the Continental Army after the conclusion of the American Revolution.
Birthdays
Susan Lucci
Born December 23, 1946
American Emmy-winning actress. TV: All My Children (1970-2011, "I am Erica Kane"). Her character Erika Kane is considered the most popular character in soap opera history and one of the nastiest villains of all time. Lucci became famous for being nominated but not winning an Emmy, but after 18 failed nominations, she finally won in 1999.
Roy Brown (left) and Red Baron
Roy Brown (left) and Red Baron
Credited With Shooting Down the Red Baron
Roy Brown
Born December 23, 1893 d. 1944
Canadian World War I flying ace. Roy Brown was the pilot originally credited with shooting down the Red Baron (1918), although evidence shows that the Red Baron was probably killed by ground fire.
When Brown saw a fellow pilot being chased by the Red Baron, he dived in pursuit firing at the Red Baron. Brown eventually had to pull out of the dive and lost sight of the pair. It is believed that the Red Baron turned and while flying low was shot and killed by Australian Army ground fire and crashed near the Australian trenches. Although Brown marked his initial report of the fight as "indecisive", his commanding officer changed it to "decisive" and he was credited with the kill.
The Red Baron shot down 80 enemy aircraft. In the month of April, 1917 alone, the Red Baron shot down 22 British aircraft, including four in a single day.
First Self-Made American Woman Millionaire
Madam C. J. Walker (Sarah Breedlove)
Born December 23, 1867 d. 1919
American businesswoman, the first self-made American woman millionaire. A black lady, orphaned at the age of seven, she made her fortune selling her own line of hair products (1905) using a team a door-to-door sales agents.
See Full Lyrics
Yo-ho-ho and a Bottle of Rum
Young E. Allison
Born December 23, 1853 d. 1932
American poet, editor. His poem Derelict (1891) featured the famous line "Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum." He wrote "Derelict" to complete the famous verse, "Fifteen Men on the Dead Man's Chest," from Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island.
Fifteen men on the Dead Man's Chest
Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum!
Drink and the devil had done for the rest
Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum!
Joseph Smith
Born December 23, 1805 d. 1844
American Mormon prophet. He claims to have received a set of golden plates from an Angel (1827). Using a pair of magic glasses he translated these into the Book of Mormon. While running for president, he and his brother were killed by a mob, making him the first U.S. presidential candidate to be assassinated.
William "Bill" Kristol
Born December 23, 1952
American neoconservative, chief of staff to U.S. Vice President Dan Quayle. As a political commentator for Fox News, he caused a controversy by praising U.S. President George W. Bush's inaugural speech (2005) without disclosing that he helped write it.
Quote: "And on this issue of the Shia in Iraq, I think there's been a certain amount of, frankly, Terry, a kind of pop sociology in America that, you know, somehow the Shia can't get along with the Sunni and the Shia in Iraq just want to establish some kind of Islamic fundamentalist regime. There's almost no evidence of that at all. Iraq's always been very secular." (2003)
Harry Shearer
Born December 23, 1943
American actor. Film: This Is Spinal Tap (1984). TV: The Simpsons (voice of Mr. Burns, Ned Flanders, Otto the bus driver, among others) and Saturday Night Live.
Dick Weber
Born December 23, 1929 d. 2005
American bowler, 4-time All-Star Tournament winner (1962-63, 65-66), 3-time Bowler of the Year (1961, 63, 65). He and Earl Anthony are widely credited for having increased bowling's popularity in the United States.
Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale
Born December 23, 1923 d. 2005
American naval officer. He led the first bombing strike on North Vietnam (1965) and flew 201 missions before he was shot down and held prisoner for 7½ years - four of which were in solitary confinement. He was the highest-ranking Naval POW of Vietnam. He was Ross Perot's 1992 vice-presidential running mate.
O'Loughlin as Lt. Eddie Ryker
O'Loughlin as Lt. Eddie Ryker
Gerald S. O'Loughlin
Born December 23, 1921 d. 2015
American actor. TV: The Rookies (Lt. Eddie Ryker) and Our House (Joe Kaplan).
James Gregory
Born December 23, 1911 d. 2002
American actor. TV: Barney Miller (Inspector Luger).
James Buchanan Duke
Born December 23, 1856 d. 1925
American tobacco magnate. He founded the American Tobacco Co. (1890) and Duke University (1925).
Samuel Smiles
Born December 23, 1812 d. 1904
Scottish author. Writings: Thrift (1875), containing the adage "A place for everything, and everything in its place."
Deaths
Inventor of the AK-47
Mikhail Kalashnikov
Died December 23, 2013 b. 1919
Russian firearms designer. Inventor of the AK-47 assault rifle. He named it the AK-47 (Avtomát Kaláshnikova 1947). Kalashnikov based his design on the features of the American M1 and the German StG44. It is estimated that about 1 out of every 5 firearms in the world is an AK-47 or a closely related weapon.
Webb (left) as Joe Friday in Dragnet 67
Webb (left) as Joe Friday in Dragnet 67
Jack Webb (John Randolph Webb)
Died December 23, 1982 b. 1920
American actor. Creator of the Dragnet franchise, in which he played Sgt. Joe Friday (He carries a badge). He originally created Dragnet for radio (1949-57) and then moved it to television (1951-59). The Dragnet franchise was revived again as Dragnet 67 (1967-70). Webb was also responsible for the TV series Adam-12, and wrote 174 episodes.
Contrary to popular belief, Sgt. Joe Friday never said, "Just the facts, ma'am" in Dragnet. The actual line was, "All we want are the facts, ma'am."
Webb also starred as a drill instructor in The D.I., which he also directed and produced. It co-starred his future wife, former Miss USA Jackie Loughery.
Photo Credit: Dutch National Archives
Photo Credit: Dutch National Archives
Father of Modern Planetary Science
Gerald Peter Kuiper
Died December 23, 1973 b. 1905
Netherlands-born American astronomer. "Father of Modern Planetary Science." Discovered Miranda (1948) one of Uranus' moons and Neptune's satellite Nereid (1949). He correctly predicted the rings of Saturn are composed of particles of ice and that the Moon's surface would be like walking on "crunchy snow." He is for whom the Kuiper Belt is named.
Hideki Tojo
Died December 23, 1948 b. 1884
Japanese prime minister (1941-44) during World War II. Shortly after becoming Prime Minister of Japan he called for the attack on Pearl Harbor. After the war, he and six others were hanged together as war criminals.
While incarcerated, he received a new set of dentures made by an American dentist with the phrase "Remember Pearl Harbor" secretly inscribed in them using Morse code.
Victor Borge (Borge Rosenbaum)
Died December 23, 2000 b. 1909
Danish pianist, satirist, entertainer. Quote: "Laughter is the shortest distance between two people."
Dr. Ivan Joseph Martin Osiier
Died December 23, 1965 b. 1888
Danish fencer. He tied the record for longest span of Olympic competition (1908-48), along with sailor Durward Knowles, sailor Magnus Konow, and sailor Paul Elvstrøm. His wife Ellen was the first female fencing champion (1924).
This iconic Gibson Girl image was selected for a U.S. postal stamp in 1998
This iconic Gibson Girl image was selected for a U.S. postal stamp in 1998
Charles Dana Gibson
Died December 23, 1944 b. 1867
American illustrator. Creator of the "Gibson Girl," which idealized the true American girl. Gibson saw his creation as the composite of "thousands of American girls."