Monthly Archives: December 2021

George Templeton Strong closes out 1861 with gloomy forecast for new year 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 31 1861)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'Ken.Burns.The.Civil.War.1of9.The.Cause' (Strong's diary entry at 1:31:07)

(Tuesday, December 31, 1861; during the American Civil War) — On this last day of 1861, during the first year of the American Civil War, George Templeton Strong, lawyer, a founder of the U.S. Sanitary Commission and accomplished diarist, wrote: “Poor old 1861…. It has been a gloomy year of trouble and disaster. I should be glad of its departure, were it not that 1862 is likely to be no better.” Continue reading George Templeton Strong closes out 1861 with gloomy forecast for new year 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 31 1861) →

‘Cry’ by Johnnie Ray and The Four Lads peaks at #1 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 29 1951)

1950s, Popular Music 1950s

(Saturday, December 29, 1951) — “Cry” by Johnnie Ray and The Four Lads (recorded Oct. 16, 1951 in New York City) peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for the first of 11 consecutive weeks (Dec. 29, 1951, Jan. 5/12/19/26, Feb. 2/9/16/23, March 1/8, 1952). Continue reading ‘Cry’ by Johnnie Ray and The Four Lads peaks at #1 in USA 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 29 1951) →

Edith Wilson, America’s ‘first female president,’ dies in Washington 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 28 1961)

1960s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Edith Bolling Wilson: From Wytheville to the White House'

(Thursday, December 28, 1961, 10:45 p.m. EST) — Edith Bolling Galt Wilson, the first lady of the United States from 1915 to 1921 and the second wife of President Woodrow Wilson, died tonight of congestive heart failure at her Washington home. She was 89. Continue reading Edith Wilson, America’s ‘first female president,’ dies in Washington 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 28 1961) →

‘The African Queen’ premieres in Los Angeles 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 26 1951)

1950s, Movies 1950s


Video: 'The African Queen' trailer

(Wednesday, December 26, 1951, 12:45 p.m. PST) — A grizzled skipper and a spirited missionary take on the Germans in Africa during World War I in The African Queen, an adventure drama film adapted from the 1935 novel of the same name by C. S. Forester that premiered today at the Fox Wilshire Theater in Beverly Hills, California. Continue reading ‘The African Queen’ premieres in Los Angeles 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 26 1951) →

‘Take My Heart (You Can Have It If You Want It)’ by Kool & the Gang peaks at #17 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 26 1981)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s

(Saturday, December 26, 1981) — “Take My Heart (You Can Have It If You Want It)” by Kool & the Gang peaked at #17 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for three weeks. Continue reading ‘Take My Heart (You Can Have It If You Want It)’ by Kool & the Gang peaks at #17 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 26 1981) →

Churchill warns of dark days but holds victory is certain in unprecedented address to U.S. lawmakers 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 26 1941)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Mr Churchill Addresses Congress - SOUND'

(Friday, December 26, 1941, 12:30 p.m. EST; during the Arcadia Conference and World War II) — Winston Churchill, the first wartime Prime Minister of Great Britain ever to address the Congress of the United States, told American lawmakers today that while “we are able to beat the life out of the savage Nazi,” at least 18 months would be required to turn the tide of the war and warned that “many disappointments and unpleasant surprises await us.” Continue reading Churchill warns of dark days but holds victory is certain in unprecedented address to U.S. lawmakers 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 26 1941) →

‘WKRP in Cincinnati’ by Steve Carlisle peaks at #65 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 26 1981)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s, Television 1980s

(Saturday, December 26, 1981) — “WKRP in Cincinnati” by Steve Carlisle peaked at #65 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for four weeks. Continue reading ‘WKRP in Cincinnati’ by Steve Carlisle peaks at #65 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 26 1981) →

Lincoln frees British diplomats, averts war with Britain during American Civil War 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 26 1861)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'What was: The Trent Affair?'

(Thursday, December 26, 1861; during the Trent Affair, part of the American Civil War) — Confederate diplomatic envoys James Mason and John Slidell were freed by President Abraham Lincoln today, heading off a possible war between the United States and Great Britain. Continue reading Lincoln frees British diplomats, averts war with Britain during American Civil War 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 26 1861) →