Today in History

This article was in our weekly newspaper today and I found it interesting just how many different things have happened on this date in the past.

December 29
1848 - President James Polk turned on the first gas light at the White House

1890 - The US Seventh Cavalry, in efforts to suppress the Native Americans of South Dakota, massacred over 200 men, women and children. The massacre occurred at Wounded Knee, South Dakota.

1937 - Babe Ruth returned to baseball (he had retired in 1935). He was announced as the new manager of the Class D, De Land Reds of the Florida State League; quite a long way from the big leagues.

1945 - Sheb Wooley recorded the first commercial record made in Nashville, TN.

1949 - KC2XAK of Bridgeport, Connecticut became the first ultrahigh frequency (UHF) tv station to begin operating on a regular daily schedule.

1952 - The first transistorized hearing aid was offered for sale by Sonotone Corp.

1953 - Jean Stapleton debuted in her first Broadway play.

1957 - Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme were married.

1972 - After 36 years of publication, the last weekly issue of LIFE magazine hit the newsstands.

1985 - Phil Donahue and a Soviet radio commentator hosted the "Citizen's Summit" via satellite TV.

1986 - After 18 years and $47 million expended, the restored Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, FL, reopened for business.

Some famous birthdays:

Andrew Johnson, 17th US President

Inga Swenson, actress

Ed Flanders, emmy award winning actor

Mary Tyler Moore, emmy award winning actress

Ray Nitschke, pro football hall of famer

Jon Voight, actor

Ray Thomas, musician

Ted Danson, emmy award winning actor

Paula Poundstone, actress, comedienne

Jule Law, actor