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First successful human kidney transplant took place 60 years ago this hour (Dec 23 1954)

1950s


Video: 'Remembering Marvin Miller,Joseph Murray, Earl Carroll'

(Thursday, December 23, 1954, 11:15 a.m. EST) — The first successful human kidney transplant took place today at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston as a surgical team led by Dr. Joseph Murray removed a kidney from 23-year-old Ronald Herrick and implanted it in Herrick’s twin brother, Richard, who was dying of chronic nephritis.

Because the donor and recipient were identical twins, tissue rejection was not an issue. Richard Herrick lived until 1962; Ronald Herrick died in 2010.

Skies clear for American planes over Bastogne 70 years ago this hour (Dec 23 1944)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'WW2: The Battle of the Bulge' (Dec. 23, 1944, at 30:23)

(Saturday, December 23, 1944, 9:00 a.m. local time; during the Battle of the Bulge on the Western Front of World War II) — The skies over Bastogne cleared today just in time for American planes to relieve and support the soldiers pinned down on the ground and and stalling the German offensive. Continue reading Skies clear for American planes over Bastogne 70 years ago this hour (Dec 23 1944) →

‘Subway Vigilante’ Goetz shoots four black youths 30 years ago this hour (Dec 22 1984)

1980s


Video: 'News 4 New York (WNBC-TV) December 22, 1984 Subway Vigilante Bernhard Goetz'

(Saturday, December 22, 1984, at about 1:30 p.m. EST) — New York City resident Bernhard Goetz, 37, shot four black youths aboard a Manhattan subway today after the young men attempted to rob him. As a result of his actions, Goetz soon became known as the “Subway Vigilante.”

Dreyfus convicted in complex miscarriage of justice 120 years ago this hour (Dec 22 1894)

1890s


Video: 'Alfred Dreyfus Documentary | Full video |' (Dec. 22, 1894, at 8:55)

(Saturday, December 22, 1894; during the Dreyfus Affair) — French army officer Alfred Dreyfus was convicted of treason today in a court-martial that triggered worldwide charges of Antisemitism (Dreyfus was eventually vindicated).

Sherman offers Savannah as a Christmas gift to Lincoln 150 years ago today (Dec 22 1864)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'The Conquerors - Episode 8: Sherman's March to the Sea (History Documentary)' (Dec. 22, 1864, at 22:13)

(Thursday, December 22, 1864; during the American Civil War) — One day after capturing Savannah, Georgia, and concluding his March to the Sea, Union Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman said today in a message to President Abraham Lincoln: “I beg to present you as a Christmas-gift the city of Savannah.”

Senator Kennedy flown to Palm Beach following spinal surgery 60 years ago today (Dec 21 1954)

1950s, U.S. Presidents

Video: 'December 21, 1954 - Senator John F. Kennedy recovering from spinal operations'

(Tuesday, December 21, 1954) — Senator John F. Kennedy was taken by stretcher to a special plane today so he could be flown from the New York Hospital for Special Surgery to the Kennedy home in Palm Beach, Florida, more than two months after undergoing a spinal operation.

‘Tillie’s Punctured Romance,’ first feature-length silent film comedy, released 100 years ago today (Dec 21 1914)

1910s, Movies 1910s

Video: 'Tillie's Punctured Romance Nov 14, 1914'

(Monday, December 21, 1914) — The first feature-length silent film comedy, Mack Sennett’s Tillie’s Punctured Romance, starring Marie Dressler, Mabel Normand and Charlie Chaplin, was released today in the U.S.

Nazi Party leader Adolf Hitler released from German prison 90 years ago today (Dec 20 1924)

1920s

(Saturday, December 20, 1924) — German Nazi Party leader Adolf Hitler was released from prison today after the Bavarian Supreme Court issued a pardon, against the state prosecutor’s objections, having serving nine months for his role in the Beer Hall Putsch; during his time behind bars, he’d written his autobiographical screed, Mein Kampf.

Confederate forces evacuate Savannah, Georgia 150 years ago today (Dec 20 1864)

1860s, American Civil War


Video: 'The Conquerors - Episode 8: Sherman's March to the Sea (History Documentary)' (Dec. 20, 1864, at 21:29)

(Tuesday, December 20, 1864; during the American Civil War) — Confederate forces evacuated Savannah, Georgia, today as Union Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman nearly completed his March to the Sea.

Singer-songwriter Sam Cooke eulogized in Chicago 50 years ago today (Dec 17 1964)

1960s, Popular Music 1960s


Video: 'Sam Cooke - Legend (The Life, The Legend, The Legacy) DVD (Title 3)' (Dec. 17, 1964, at 1:01:59)

(Thursday, December 17, 1964, evening) — A crowd estimated at 15,000 flocked to the Tabernacle Baptist Church on Chicago’s South Side today to pay last respects to the late Sam Cooke, who was shot and killed in Los Angeles on Dec. 11, 1964 (a second funeral and burial was held Dec. 19, 1964, in Los Angeles).