Holidays
Holy Innocents Day
Commemorating the infants killed by Herod's soldiers while trying to kill the baby Jesus.
What Happened On
Amelia Earhart Takes Her First Airplane Flight
December 28, 1920
The famed aviator Amelia Earhart takes her first airplane flight. The experience made her determined to become an aviator. She began taking flying lessons a few weeks later.
Early Bathroom
Early Bathroom
The Great Bathtub Hoax
December 28, 1917
The use of bathtubs is banned by the city of Boston in 1845. This is one of the many FAKE claims made by H.L. Mencken in a hoax article published on December 28, 1917 in the New York Evening Mail about the history of the bathtub. Even though Mencken repeatedly stated the article was a joke, the fake facts continue to this day to be reprinted in articles and books about bathtubs and hygiene and have even made their way into medical journals.
Other FAKE claims he made in the article include:
• The first American bathtub was installed December 20, 1842;
• A bathtub was installed in the White House for Millard Fillmore (which is still cited as fact in many publications);
• In 1843, the Philadelphia Common Council tried to ban bathing between November 1 and March 15.
Portrait of Cyrano de Bergerac
Portrait of Cyrano de Bergerac
Cyrano de Bergerac
December 28, 1897
French playwright Edmond Rostand's famous play Cyrano de Bergerac is first performed and is an immediate success. The play was a fictionalization of the life of French dramatist Cyrano de Bergerac. In the play, Cyrano's loves the beautiful Roxane, whom he is obliged to woo on behalf of his more handsome but less articulate friend.
Scene from Workers Leaving the Lumière Factory
Scene from Workers Leaving the Lumière Factory
First Paid Movie Screening
December 28, 1895
Auguste Lumière and Louis Lumière show 10 films to a paying audience at the Grand Cafe in Boulevard des Capucines, marking the first paying audience for movies (although a paid film of a boxing match premiered on Broadway earlier that year). Each film ran 50 seconds, with the first film Sortie des Usines Lumière à Lyon (Workers Leaving the Lumière Factory).
First U.S. Vice-President to Resign
December 28, 1832
John C. Calhoun resigns after a disagreement with President Andrew Jackson. He then went on to fill a vacancy in the U.S. Senate.
Katie Beers Kidnapped
December 28, 1992
The 10-year-old Katie Beers is kidnapped by her next-door neighbor, who held her for 16 days in a dungeon he had built beneath his garage.
Federal Labor Relations Authority
December 28, 1978
Federal Labor Relations Authority is established.
People digging for bodies after the earthquake
People digging for bodies after the earthquake
Messina Earthquake
December 28, 1908
Between 75,000 and 200,000 people are killed when the ancient town of Messina, Sicily is struck by a 7.1 magnitude earthquake. It is believed to be the most powerful earthquake to ever strike Europe. The earthquake was followed by a tsunami with waves estimated to be 40 feet (13 meters) high at the coast.
Iowa
December 28, 1846
Iowa becomes the 29th state.
Second Seminole War
December 28, 1835
Florida Seminole Indians, protesting their forced removal, kill Major Dade and 100 of his men. Another group, led by Osceola, killed Gen. Wiley Thompson and four others.
Birthdays
Nichelle Nichols (Grace Dell Nichols)
Born December 28, 1932 d. 2022
American actress, singer. Noted for her role as communications officer Lieutenant Uhura aboard the USS Enterprise in the Star Trek television series (1966-69) and later movies. Her character and William Shatner's character engaged in what many consider U.S. television's first scripted interracial kiss in the Star Trek episode Plato's Stepchildren (1967).
Asteroid 68410 Nichols is named in her honor.
Her brother, Thomas Nichols, was one of the victims of the Heaven's Gate mass suicide.
Note: Sammy Davis, Jr. and Nancy Sinatra kissed in her TV special the previous year; however, this was an unscripted kiss, whereas the Star Trek kiss was scripted.
Photo Credit: Dr Haggis
Photo Credit: Dr Haggis
Invented the Flexible Ice Cube Tray
Lloyd Groff Copeman
Born December 28, 1881 d. 1956
American inventor. He invented the modern electric stove and the flexible ice cube tray (1948). He held over 700 patents.
He is the grandfather of singer Linda Ronstadt.
Thomas Woodrow Wilson
Born December 28, 1856 d. 1924
American politician. 28th U.S. President (1913-21). He suffered a paralyzing stroke in 1919 while still in office. Some claim that it was his wife who actually ran the government for the remainder of his term.
Although, he didn't learn to read until the age of 10, he would go on to become president of Princeton University (1901).
Wilson was awarded the 1919 Nobel Peace Prize for his sponsorship of the League of Nations.
During WWI he raised sheep on the White House lawn and sold the wool to raise $52,823 for the Red Cross.
Quote: "Life does not consist in thinking, it consists in acting."
Elizabeth Jordan Carr
Born December 28, 1981
first U.S. test-tube baby.
Denzel Washington
Born December 28, 1954
American Oscar-Tony-winning actor.
In 1992, police were called to an armed robbery at a video store. The robber turned out to be a cardboard cutout of Washington dressed as a police officer and holding a gun to promote his movie Ricochet.
Film: Cry Freedom (1987), Glory (1989, Oscar), Mo' Better Blues (1990), Ricochet (1991), Malcolm X (1992), and Training Day(2001, Oscar). TV: St. Elsewhere (1982-88, Dr. Chandler).
Edgar Winter
Born December 28, 1946
American albino singer, musician. He and his older brother musician Johnny Winter were both born with albinism.
Music: Frankenstein (1973, #1) and Free Ride (1973).
Maggie Smith
Born December 28, 1934
English Oscar-winning actress. Film: The Prime of Miss Jean Bodie (1969, Oscar, title role), A Private Function (1985), and A Room With a View (1986).
Terry Sawchuk
Born December 28, 1929 d. 1970
American hockey goalie. He was Rookie of the Year (1950), Goaltender of the Year (1951-52, 54, 64), and is the all-time leader in wins (435) and shutouts (103).
Hildegard Knef
Born December 28, 1925 d. 2002
German actress. During World War II, she disguised herself as a soldier so she could be with her German boyfriend and ended up fighting in the defense of Schmargendorf. She was captured by the Russians, but later escaped.
She caused a scandal in the 1950s when she performed a nude scene in the film The Sinner (Die Sünderin), the first in German film history.
Broadway: Silk Stockings (1955). Film: The Sinner (1951).
Stan Lee (Stanley Lieber)
Born December 28, 1922 d. 2018
American cartoonist. Created The Fantastic Four (1961), The Amazing Spider-Man (1962), and The Hulk (1962). He was the editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics.
Lee Bowman
Born December 28, 1914 d. 1979
American actor. TV: Ellery Queen (title role).
Lou Jacobi
Born December 28, 1913 d. 2009
Canadian actor. TV: Somerset (Mac Wells).
Sam Levenson
Born December 28, 1911 d. 1980
American humorist. TV: This Is Show Business (1949-54, panelist) and The Sam Levenson Show (1959-64).
In 1950, he and fellow comedian Joe E. Lewis were the first members of the New York Friars Club to be roasted, initiating a long-lasting tradition.
Quote: Insanity is hereditary. You can get it from your children.
Lew Ayres (Lewis Frederick Ayre III)
Born December 28, 1908 d. 1996
American actor. Film: All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) and Young Dr. Kildare (1938, title role). He turned down a part in the television version of Dr. Kildare because he refused to work on a show with cigarette sponsorship.
Cliff Arquette
Born December 28, 1905 d. 1974
American actor. TV: The Charley Weaver Show (title role) and Hollywood Squares (guest).
Father of Modern Jazz Piano
Earl "Fatha" Hines
Born December 28, 1903 d. 1983
American jazz pianist, "Father of Modern Jazz Piano." Music: My Monday Date (1928), Caution Blues (1928), Fifty-Seven Varieties (1928), and Rosetta (1933).
Martin Branner
Born December 28, 1888 d. 1970
American cartoonist, creator of Winnie Winkle, the Breadwinner (1920).
Deaths
The Lone Ranger
Clayton Moore
Died December 28, 1999 b. 1914
American actor, circus performer. TV: The Lone Ranger (1949-57, Kemo Sabe). The Lone Ranger was the first western written specifically for television and was ABC's first TV hit.
In 1979, Moore was banned from making appearances as the Lone Ranger, but was eventually granted the right and continued to do so until his death.
Dennis Wilson (Dennis Carl Wilson)
Died December 28, 1983 b. 1944
American singer, with The Beach Boys. Dennis was the only true surfer in the Beach Boys, living a lifestyle celebrated by their early songs. He drowned while swimming in Marina Del Rey, California; he should have stayed on the beach.
He was also known for his association with Charles Manson, whom he helped record some songs and let members of the Manson Family live in his home. Eventually, Wilson grew concerned about Manson's behavior and cut off contact with him and his followers to which Manson retaliated with death threats towards Wilson and his family.
Music: Surfin' USA (1963), I Get Around (1964, #1), Help Me Rhonda, (1965, #1), and Good Vibrations (1966, #1).
John Madden
Died December 28, 2021 b. 1936
American Hall of Fame football coach and Emmy-winning Sportscaster. He won Super Bowl XI (1976) as head coach of the Oakland Raiders and endorsed the extremely successful Madden NFL (1988‑) video game series.
Even though his wife had a pilot's license, Madden had a strong aversion to flying so he traveled by bus and train. Consequently, he never did commentary for the Pro Bowl, which was held in Hawaii every year of his broadcasting career (1979-2008).a
Sue Grafton
Died December 28, 2017 b. 1940
American author. Writings: A is for Alibi (1983), B is for Burglar (1985), C is for Corpse (1986), etc.
Photo Credit: Allan Warren
Photo Credit: Allan Warren
Debbie Reynolds (Mary Frances Reynolds)
Died December 28, 2016 b. 1932
American actress, Miss Burbank (1948). Film: Singin' in the Rain (1952, Kathy Selden) and Tammy and the Bachelor (1957, her performance of the song Tammy reached #1 on the music charts).
Jerry Orbach
Died December 28, 2004 b. 1935
American Tony-winning actor. Film: Dirty Dancing (1987, Baby's father), Beauty and the Beast (1991, voice of Lumiere the candelabra). TV: Law & Order (Det. Lennie Briscoe, 1991-2004).
Howard Caine
Died December 28, 1993 b. 1926
American actor. TV: Hogan's Heroes (1965-71, Major Hochstedder).
Kiel Martin
Died December 28, 1990 b. 1944
American actor. TV: Hill Street Blues (1981-87, Det. J.D. LaRue).
Hermann Julius Oberth
Died December 28, 1989 b. 1894
German rocket inventor, founder of modern astronautics. He pioneered the development of liquid-fueled rockets in the 1930s. His work led to the development of Germany's V-2 rocket during World War II.
Terry Dolan
Died December 28, 1987 b. 1951
American homophobic co-founder of the National Conservative Political Action Committee (NCPAC). Dolan was a proponent of family values and led organizations that were critical of gay rights. He was revealed to have been a closeted homosexual, who frequented gay bars in Washington, D.C. He died of AIDS at the age of 36.
Sam Peckinpah
Died December 28, 1984 b. 1925
American film director. Film: Ride the High Country (1962), The Wild Bunch (1969), Straw Dogs (1971), and The Osterman Weekend (1983).
Sam Levene
Died December 28, 1980 b. 1905
American actor. Originated the Broadway roles of crap game operator Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls and Al Lewis of The Sunshine Boys.
Hints from Heloise
Heloise Bowles Cruse
Died December 28, 1977 b. 1919
American newspaper columnist, "Hints from Heloise" (1961). Her daughter took over the column after her death.
A.J. Liebling
Died December 28, 1963 b. 1904
American author. Famous for his quote: "Freedom of the press belongs to those who own one."
Carrie Jacobs Bond
Died December 28, 1946 b. 1862
American composer. Music: I Love You Truly and A Perfect Day.
Maurice Ravel (Joseph Maurice Ravel)
Died December 28, 1937 b. 1875
French composer. Music: Boléro (1928).
Rob Roy (Robert MacGregor)
Died December 28, 1734 b. circa 1671
Scottish outlaw. His exploits were romanticized in Sir Walter Scott's novel Rob Roy.
Mary II
Died December 28, 1694 b. 1662
Queen of England, Scotland, and Ireland (1689-94). She died of smallpox.
Francesco Maria Grimaldi
Died December 28, 1663 b. 1618
Italian mathematician, physicist. He discovered that the distance covered by a falling object was proportional to the square of the time of the fall and coined the word 'diffraction.'