Monthly Archives: December 2013

Brandon Teena, 21-year-old female-born transgender, murdered 20 years ago this hour (12/31/1993)

1990s


Video: 'RIP Brandon Teena (1972-1993) Tribute Video '

(Friday, December 31, 1993, around 1:00 a.m. CST) — Brandon Teena, a 21-year-old female-born transgender, was murdered this morning along with two other people at a farmhouse near Humboldt, Nebraska. Continue reading Brandon Teena, 21-year-old female-born transgender, murdered 20 years ago this hour (12/31/1993) →

605+ die when fire breaks at Chicago’s Iroquois Theater 110 years ago this hour (12/30/1903)

1900s


Video: 'The 1903 Iroquois Theater Fire - Chicago (HQ)'

(Wednesday, December 30, 1903, about 3:15 p.m.) — At least 605 people died today when fire broke out at the recently opened Iroquois Theater in Chicago. It is the deadliest theater fire and the deadliest single-building fire in United States history.

U.S., Mexico sign treaty for Gadsden Purchase 160 years ago today (1853)

1850s


Video: 'Gadsden Purchase - Manifest Destiny Choose Your Own Adventure'

(Friday, December 30, 1853) — The United States and Mexico signed a treaty today under which the U.S. agreed to buy some 45,000 square miles of land from Mexico for $10 million in a deal known as the Gadsden Purchase.

British troops burn Buffalo, New York 200 years ago today (12/30/1813)

1810s


Video: 'The Forgotten War of 1812.' (Dec. 30, 1813 at 1:08:25)

(Thursday, December 30, 1813, during the Battle of Buffalo,
part the War of 1812) — British forces engaged in considerable plundering and destruction today in Buffalo, New York, in retaliation for the burning by American troops of the Canadian village of Newark (present day Niagara-on-the-Lake).

19 civilians killed in terrorist attacks on airports in Rome and Vienna 30 years ago this hour (12/30/1983)

1980s

(Friday, December 30, 1983, 9:15 a.m. CET) — Four gunmen today walked to the shared ticket counter for Israel’s El Al Airlines and Trans World Airlines at Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport outside Rome, Italy, fired assault rifles, and threw grenades. Continue reading 19 civilians killed in terrorist attacks on airports in Rome and Vienna 30 years ago this hour (12/30/1983) →

Hank Williams, Jr. performs on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ 50 years ago this hour (12/29/1963)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s, Television 1960s


Video: '1963 - Hank Williams Jr. - Cheatin' Heart - 14yr. Old

(Sunday, December 29, 1963, 8 p.m. EDT) — Hank Williams, Jr. performed “Your Cheatin’ Heart” on tonight’s edition of the CBS-TV variety show The Ed Sullivan Show.

‘Sons of the Desert’ released in U.S. theaters 80 years ago today (12/29/1933)

1930s, movies 1930s


Video: 'Sons of the Desert Fan Made Trailer'

(Friday, December 29, 1933) — Sons of the Desert, a Laurel and Hardy comedy film about two friends who hatch a harebrained scheme to attend a lodge convention over their wives’ objections, was released today in U.S. theaters.

Directed by William A. Seiter, the film starred Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Charley Chase and Mae Busch.

First true “cliffhanger” movie serial debuts 100 years ago today (12/29/1913)

1910s, Movies 1910s

(Monday, December 29, 1913) — The first true “cliffhanger” movie serial, The Adventures of Kathlyn, premiered today.

Filmed in Chicago, its thirteen episodes were directed by Francis J. Grandon from a story by Harold MacGrath and Gilson Willets and starred Kathlyn Williams as the heroine.