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From: "Mary" <>
Subject: [FOLKLORE] Today in History - Dec. 25th
Date: Mon, 25 Dec 2000 06:35:05 -0500


Today is Monday, December 25th, the 360th day of 2000.
There are six days left in the year.

This is Christmas Day.

TODAY IS ELSIE's BIRTHDAY.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELSIE!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO MY FOLKLORE FAMILY.

Today's Highlight in History:
On December 25th, 1977, comedian Sir Charles Chaplin died in
Switzerland at age 88.

On this date:
In A.D. 336, the first recorded celebration of Christmas on
December 25th took place in Rome.

In 1066, William the Conqueror was crowned king of England.

In 1223, St. Francis of Assisi assembled one of the first
Nativity scenes, in Greccio, Italy.

In 1776, General George Washington and his troops crossed
the Delaware River for a surprise attack against Hessian
forces at Trenton, New Jersey.

In 1818, "Silent Night" was performed for the first time, at
the Church of St. Nikolaus in Oberndorff, Austria.

In 1868, President Andrew Johnson granted an unconditional
pardon to all persons involved in the Southern rebellion
that resulted in the Civil War.

In 1926, Hirohito became emperor of Japan, suceeding his
father, Emperor Yoshihito. (Hirohito was formally enthroned
almost two years later.)

In 1946, comedian W.C. Fields died in Pasadena, California,
at age 66.

In 1989, ousted Romanian President Nicolae Ceausescu and his
wife, Elena, were executed following a popular uprising.

In 1991, Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev went on
television to announce his resignation.

Ten years ago: Soviet President Mikhail S. Gorbachev won
sweeping new powers from the Congress of People's Deputies.
Romania's former monarch, King Michael, arrived on his first
visit to his homeland since Communist rulers forced him to
abdicate four decades earlier -- but he was deported by the
new Bucharest government less than 12 hours later.

Five years ago: An ailing Pope John Paul the Second cut
short his traditional Christmas greetings, telling crowds he
was fighting to regain his health.
Singer Dean Martin died at his Beverly Hills home at age 78.


One year ago: Space shuttle "Discovery's" astronauts
finished their repair job on the Hubble Space Telescope.
A Cuban airplane crashed in northern Venezuela, killing all
22 aboard.

Today's Birthdays:
Singer Tony Martin is 87.
Actor Dick Miller is 72.
Actress Hanna Schygulla is 57.
Rhythm-and-blues singer John Edwards (The Spinners) is 56.
Actor Gary Sandy is 55.
Singer Jimmy Buffett is 54.
Football Hall-of-Famer Larry Csonka is 54.
Singer Barbara Mandrell is 52.
Actress Sissy Spacek is 51.
Singer Annie Lennox is 46.
Reggae singer-musician Robin Campbell (UB40) is 46.
Country singer Steve Wariner is 46.
Singer Shane McGowan (The Popes) is 43.
Actress Klea Scott is 32.
Rock musician Noel Hogan (The Cranberries) is 29.
Country singer Alecia Elliott is 18.
"Moose" (the dog on "Frasier") is ten.



"A Merry Christmas to all my friends except two."

-- Attributed to W.C. Fields, American comedian (1880-1946).



(Copyright 2000 by The Associated Press. All Rights
Reserved.)

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