Holidays
Karenga (center) celebrating Kwanzaa
Karenga (center) celebrating Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa
The seven-day festival Kwanzaa, celebrating African heritage, begins. It was started in 1966 by social activist Maulana Karenga. He said his goal was to "give Blacks an alternative to the existing holiday and give Blacks an opportunity to celebrate themselves and their history, rather than simply imitate the practice of the dominant society."
Kwanzaa is Swahili for "first fruit." The seven candles represent the seven principles of Kwanzaa: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination):, Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith).
What Happened On
Soviet Union Dissolved
December 26, 1991
The former Soviet republics declare their independence and create the Commonwealth of Independent States. Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev had resigned the day before and handed over its powers, including the Soviet nuclear missile launching codes, to Russian President Boris Yeltsin.
The Exorcist
December 26, 1973
The movie The Exorcist is released, starring Linda Blair as the possessed child Regan. The demon-child voice was performed by Mercedes McCambridge. The film was made on a budget of $12 million and earned $441 million at the box office.
It was based on William Peter Blatty's 1971 book The Exorcist, which he finished using $10,000 he won on You Bet Your Life. Blatty also wrote the screenplay for the movie. His novel is loosely based on a 1949 case of demonic possession and exorcism.
Sea Hag
December 26, 1929
Popeye the Sailor's nemesis Sea Hag debuts in the Popeye comic strip. Deeply in love with Popeye, she is vexed by her rival Olive Oyl.
Curse of the Bambino
December 26, 1919
Babe Ruth, known as "The Bambino", is sold by the Boston Red Sox to the New York Yankees, beginning the 86-year "Curse of the Bambino", lasting till 2004. Prior to this, the Red Sox had been one of the most successful baseball teams, winning the five World Series titles, including the first one. After the sale the Red Sox went without a title for decades, as the Yankees became one of the most successful teams in North American professional sports.
First Black Heavyweight Boxing Champion
December 26, 1908
Jack Johnson becomes champ when he KO's Tommy Burns.
In 1913, Johnson became one of the first people prosecuted under the Mann Act of 1910, also known as the White Slave Act. He had taken Lucille Cameron, a white woman, from a brothel and they subsequently crossed state lines. This violated the Mann Act which forbade transporting a woman across state lines for "immoral purposes". Even though they got married, he was still prosecuted and sentenced to a year in prison. He was pardoned in 2018 by U.S. President Donald Trump.
A Better Mouse Trap
December 26, 1882
James A. Williams of Texas patents his version of a better animal/mouse trap.
"My invention relates to an improvement in animal-traps; and it consists in the combination of a suitable frame upon which a revolver or pistol is secured, a treadle which is secured to the front end of this frame, and a suitable spring and levers, by which the fire arm is discharged when the animal steps upon the treadle".
Mass Hanging of 38 Dakota Indians
Mass Hanging of 38 Dakota Indians
Largest U.S. Mass Execution
December 26, 1862
Thirty-eight Dakota Indians are hanged. Upset with their treatment by the U.S. government, the Dakota (also known as Sioux) had attacked settlements throughout the Minnesota River valley, killing over 800 men, women, and children. The ensuing battles between the Dakota and the U.S. Army ended with the expulsion of the Indians and the abolishment of their reservations. Thirty-eight of the captured fighters were hanged.
American Revolution - Battle of Trenton
December 26, 1776
General George Washington captures 1,000 Hessian troops in Trenton, New Jersey after making his famous crossing of the Delaware during the previous night.
JonBenét Murder
December 26, 1996
The Ramsey's discover their daughter JonBenet Ramsey is missing and also find a three-page ransom note. Her body was later found in the wine cellar and it was determined she was murdered the day before. Trace DNA taken from her clothes was found to belong to an unknown male. This case is still unsolved.
Magical Mystery Tour
December 26, 1967
The Magical Mystery Tour by The Beatles is first broadcast, on BBC1 television. It was telecast in black and white and rebroadcast in color the following January on BBC2. Poor reviews by critics and audiences prompted Paul McCartney to apologize for the film stating, "We don't say it was a good film. It was our first attempt. If we goofed, then we goofed. It was a challenge and it didn't come off. We'll know better next time."
It was released in the U.S. as a movie in 1974.
First Musical Play to Win a Pulitzer
December 26, 1931
George Gershwin's Of Thee I Sing opens in New York City.
Coffee Percolator
December 26, 1865
The first U.S. patent for a coffee percolator is issued to inventor James H. Nason.
Birthdays
Mao Tse-tung
Born December 26, 1893 d. 1976
Chinese Communist leader. "Founding Father" of the People's Republic of China and ruled as the Chairman of the Communist Party of China from its establishment in 1949 until his death in 1976.
Robert LeRoy Ripley
Born December 26, 1890 d. 1949
American cartoonist. Created Ripley's Believe It or Not! (1918) and "Odditoriums" to house his unusual collection of oddities.
Note: He claimed his birthday was December 25, even though it was actually December 26 - Believe It or Not!
Father of the Computer
Charles Babbage
Born December 26, 1791 d. 1871
English mathematician. He originated the idea of a programmable computer and designed a mechanical digital computer, although it was never built.
Tiffany Brissette
Born December 26, 1974
American actress. TV: Small Wonder (Vicki the robot).
Phil Spector
Born December 26, 1939 d. 2021
American Grammy-winning music producer. Known as the "Tycoon of Teen," he developed the "Wall of Sound" recording technique. In 2009, he was convicted of the 2003 shooting death of Lana Clarkson in his home. Music: You've Lost the Lovin' Feeling (producer/co-writer. It is the most played song in the U.S.).
Alan King (Irwin Alan Kniberg)
Born December 26, 1927 d. 2004
American comedian. Known for his numerous appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show.
Steve Allen
Born December 26, 1921 d. 2000
American comedian, songwriter. TV: The Tonight Show (1954, creator and its first host).
Richard Widmark
Born December 26, 1914 d. 2008
American actor. Film: Kiss of Death (1947) and Madigan (1968).
Henry Miller
Born December 26, 1891 d. 1980
American novelist. Writings: Tropic of Cancer (1931) and Tropic of Capricorn (1939).
George Dewey
Born December 26, 1837 d. 1917
American naval officer. Noted for his spectacular defeat of the Spanish during the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War (1898). He was also the first and only U.S. Admiral of the Navy (1899).
Thomas Nelson, Jr.
Born December 26, 1738 d. 1789
American patriot. Signer of the Declaration of Independence, governor of Virginia (1781).
Deaths
Ford as President and on football field at the University of Michigan (1933)
Ford as President and on football field at the University of Michigan (1933)
Gerald Rudolph Ford (Leslie Lynch King, Jr.)
Died December 26, 2006 b. 1913
American politician. 38th U.S. President (1974-77) and 40th U.S. Vice-President (1973-74). Ford is the only person to have served as both vice president and president without being elected to either office by the Electoral College. Under the provisions of the 25th Amendment, Ford became vice president in 1973 after Spiro Agnew resigned. This was the first time the 25th Amendment had been used. Ford then became president the following year when President Nixon resigned. Ford then gave Nixon an unconditional pardon for any crimes he might have committed against the United States while president.
Ford was a star football player for University of Michigan and helped the team play two undefeated seasons and win national titles in 1932 and 1933.
Lanchester as the bride (left)
Lanchester as the bride (left)
Elsa Lanchester (Elsa Sullivan Lanchester)
Died December 26, 1986 b. 1902
English singer, actress. Film: Bride of Frankenstein (1935, the blushing bride).
Jack Benny with Harry S. Truman
Jack Benny (Benjamin Kubelsky)
Died December 26, 1974 b. 1894
American comedian. "Famous" for his violin concertos.
In 1932 as a guest on Ed Sullivan's program, he spoke his first words on radio, "This is Jack Benny talking. There will be a slight pause while you say, 'Who cares?'" He was then given his own program, which ran until 1955 along with a TV program from 1950 to 1965.
Harry S. Truman
Died December 26, 1972 b. 1884
American politician. 33rd U.S. President (1945-53) and 34th U.S. Vice-President (1945). He became President when Franklin D. Roosevelt died. The "S" in his name does not stand for any one name. That's why you never see it spelled out. The middle initial "S" was chosen to honor both of his grandfathers, Anderson Shipp Truman and Solomon Young.
Tom Smothers (Thomas Bolyn Smothers III)
Died December 26, 2023 b. 1937
American comedian, one of the Smothers Brothers. He was a competitive unicyclist, and a state champion gymnast on the parallel bars.
TV: The Smothers Brothers Show (1965-66) and The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (1967-69).
Desmond Tutu
Died December 26, 2021 b. 1931
South African Anglican archbishop. Winner of the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize. Tutu is known for his work as an anti-apartheid and human rights activist and was Bishop of Johannesburg (1985-86) and Archbishop of Cape Town (1986-96), being the first black African to hold both those positions.
Vincent Schiavelli
Died December 26, 2005 b. 1948
American actor. Known as "the man with the sad eyes" and the first recurring gay character on network American TV.
His distinctive looks were due to Marfan syndrome.
Film: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975), Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982, Mr. Vargas the biology teacher), Ghost (1990, the sad-eyed subway ghost).
TV: The Corner Bar (1972, Peter Panama, the first recurring gay character on network American TV).
Bud Blake (Julian W. Blake)
Died December 26, 2005 b. 1918
American cartoonist. Creator of Tiger.
Jason Robards, Jr.
Died December 26, 2000 b. 1922
American Oscar-Tony-Emmy-winning actor. Film: All the President's Men (1976, Oscar) and Julia (1977, Oscar).
Morrow as Exeter in This Island Earth
Morrow as Exeter in This Island Earth
Jeff Morrow (Irving Morrow)
Died December 26, 1993 b. 1907
American actor. Film: The Robe (1953, black-hearted centurion), This Island Earth (1955, Exeter the alien), and The Creature Walks Among Us (1956, the scientist).
Dave Beck
Died December 26, 1993 b. 1894
American labor leader, Teamsters president (1952-57). In 1957 he was accused of misusing $300,000 in union funds and was convicted of embezzling $1,900 from the sale of a union-owned Cadillac. In 1958 he was convicted of federal income tax evasion, but it was overturned. In 1959 he was convicted of filing a false tax return. He served 2½ years in prison and was eventually pardoned by the Washington state governor (1964) and later by U.S. President Gerald Ford (1975). He was selected by Seattle as "Maritime Man of the Year" (1984).
Creator of the Dewey Decimal System
Melvil Dewey
Died December 26, 1931 b. 1851
American librarian. Creator of the Dewey Decimal System (1876).
Stephen Girard
Died December 26, 1831 b. 1750
French philanthropist, founder of Girard College at Philadelphia and for whom Girard, Ohio is named.
Saint Zosimus
Died December 26, 418 b. ????
Greek-born religious leader, 41st Pope (417-418).
Saint Dionysius
Died December 26, 268 b. ????
religious leader, 25th Pope (259-268).