Birthdates which occurred on your SELECTED date of December 23:
1174 Louis I Duke of Wittelsbach
1544 Anna duchess of Saxson/wife of prince Willem of Orange (1561-71)
1548 Pieter C Bockenberg historian (Annales Hollandiae et Zeelandiae)
1582 Severo Bonini composer
1597 Martin Opitz Germany, poet "Father of Modern German Poetry"
1644 Tomas de Torrejon y Velasco composer
1689 Joseph Bodin de Boismortier composer
1699 Joseph Gibbs composer
1709 Jean-Noel Hamal composer
1714 Johann Siebenkas composer
1716 Johann Heinrich Rolle composer
1732 Sir Richard Arkwright inventor (spinning frame)
1734 Filinto Elísio [Francisco M do Nascimento] Portuguese poet
1749 Johann Lukas Schubaur composer
1750 Frederik Augustus I the Righteous, king of Saxony (1806-27)
1763 John Davy composer
1777 Aleksandr I P Romanov Tsar of Russia (1801-25)
1780 Charles-Louis Panckoucke French publisher
1790 Jean-François Champollion deciphered Egyptian hieroglyphics
1795 Philippe Vandermaelen Flemish cartographer (Atlas Universel)
1804 Charles-Augustin de Sainte-Beuve France, critic/writer (deax violes esgales)
1805 Joseph Smith Jr Sharon VT, founder of Mormon church
1808 Thomas Turner Commander (Union Navy), died in 1883
1812 Samuel Smiles Scotland, author (Self-Help, Character, Duty)
1812 William Hauser composer
1815 Henry Highland Garnet Maryland, minister/abolitionist/diplomat
1818 David Addison Weisiger Brigadier-General (Confederate Army), died in 1899
1823 Alexandru Flechtenmacher composer
1827 Wilhelm Freiherr von Tegetthoff Austrian admiral (Helgoland/Lissa)
1828 Mathilde Wesendonk German writer/poet (Tagebuchblatter)
1830 Adam Minchejmer composer
1834 Thomas R Malthus English vicar/economist (moral restraint)
1845 Emmanuel-Persillier Lachapelle doctor (founder of Notre Dame Hospital Montréal)
1845 Gustave Ador union President of Austria (1919)
1853 Giacomo Puccini Italy, composer
1853 Maria Teresa Carreno composer
1855 Alan Gray composer
1858 Vladimir Nemirovitch-Dantshenko playwright (Life in Russian Theater)
1860 Harriet Monroe Chicago IL, poet/editor of Poetry magazine (You & I)
1862 Henri Pirenne Belgian historian (History of Belgium)
1865 Albrecht duke of Württemberg/general-fieldmarshal
1867 Madame C J Walker [Sarah Breedlove] Delta LA, cosmetics mogul
1870 John Marin painter (1948 Fine Arts Medal)
1883 Hubert M E Pierlot Belgian advocate/premier (1939-45)
1886 Albert Ehrenstein Austria writer (Message from the Madhouse)
1887 Eric Blore London England, actor (Great Gatsby, Bowery to Baghdad)
1887 John Cromwell Toledo OH, actor/director (Spitfire, Of Human Bondage)
1888 Friedrich Wolf writer
1893 Ann O'Neal Missouri, actress (Nana-Professional Father)
1894 Arthur Gilligan cricketer (England captain in 1920's)
1896 Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa Sicilian writer (Der Leopard)
1896 Alberto Hemsi composer
1897 Julien Carette Paris France, actor (Sylvia & the Phantom)
19-- Allison Argo Richmond VA, actress (Susan-Ladies' Man)
19-- Michael Richardson Riverside CA, actor (Steve Baker-Chase)
19-- Mitch Brown Bronx NY, actor (Hardy-The Cowboys)
19-- Patrick Ramsey football player
1900 Marc Allégret French director (Voyage ouch Congo)
1901 Gene Sarazen golfer (PGA 1922, 23, 33)
1903 Fredi [Fredericka] Carolyn Washington actress (Black & Tan)
1903 Michael Kalatozov Russian producer (When the Cranes Fly)
1905 Arn Bjornsson composer
1906 Ross Lee Finney Wells MN, composer (Landscapes Remembered)
1907 Don McNeill Galena IL, host (Don McNeill TV Club)
1908 Yousuf Karsh portrait photographer (Life Magazine)
1909 Barney Ross New York NY, Welterweight Boxing Champion (1934)
1909 Don Cleverley cricketer (two Tests for New Zealand 1932 & 1946, took 0-130)
1909 Maurice Denham Beckenham England, actor (Mr Love, Damn the Defiant)
1911 James Gregory Bronx NY, actor (My Favorite Martian, Barney Miller)
1911 Niels Jerne immunologist
1913 Hans Henkemans composer
1913 Leo A Ketelaars Dutch oratorio vocalist
1914 Dezider Kardos composer
1918 Helmut Schmidt Chancellor of Germany (SPD, 1974-82)
1918 José Greco Italy, flamenco dancer (Holiday for Lovers)
1920 Alan North Bronx NY, actor (Captain Ed Hocken-Naked Gun)
1921 Gerald S O'Loughlin New York NY, actor (Storefront Lawyer, Rookies, Wheels)
1922 Micheline Ostermeyer France, shot-put/discus thrower (Olympics-gold-1948)
1922 Ian Powell Bancroft civil servant
1923 Milt Okun Brooklyn NY, orchestra leader (Starland Vocal Band Show)
1923 Ruth Roman Boston MA, actress (Sylvia-Knots Landing, Dallas)
1923 Bob Barker Darrington WA, TV host (Price is Right)
1923 James Stockdale admiral (Vietnam)/Ross Perot's 1992 running mate
1923 Kenneth Henry Lowry Lamb broadcaster
1923 Leonard Stern New York NY, producer/TV writer (Phil Silvers Show, Get Smart)
1923 Lucas M Mangope 1st President of Bophuthatswana (1977-94)
1924 Floyd Kalber Omaha NE, newscaster (NBC Weekend News Anchor-1973)
1925 Harry Guardino New York NY, actor (Monty Nash, Perry Mason, Hill St Blues)
1925 Pierre Bérégovoy French premier (1992-93)
1926 Robert Bly US, poet/editor/translator (Loving a Woman in 2 Worlds)
1926 Dusan Kostic composer
1926 James Dewar journalist/documentary film-maker
1927 Joseph Castaldo composer
1929 Dick Weber pro bowler (16, 300 games)
1930 Barbara Ruick Pasadena CA, actress (Apache War Smoke, Tú Para Mi)
1931 Ronnie Schell Richmond CA, comedian (Gomer Pyle, Good Morning World)
1932 Reverend James Cleveland Chicago IL, gospel musician (Old Time Religion, It's Me O Lord)
1932 Tertius Metcalf businessman
1933 Akihito emperor of Japan (1989- )
1935 Paul Hornung Green Bay Packer (the Golden Boy)
1935 Esther Phillips [EM Jones] US singer (When a Woman Loves a Man)
1936 James Stacy Los Angeles CA, actor (Fred-Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet)
1936 Bobby Ross NFL coach (San Diego Chargers)
1936 Claude Albert Coppens composer
1936 Frederic Forrest Waxahachie TX, actor (Music Box, Lonesone Dove)
1937 Karol Joseph Bobko New York NY, Colonel USAF/astronaut (STS 6, STS 51D, STS 51J)
1939 Johnny Kidd [Frederick Heath] London England, rocker (Johnny Kidd & Pirates)
1940 Eugene Record US singer (Chi Lites-Give it Away)
1940 Jorma Kaukonen Washington DC, rock guitarist (Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna)
1941 Elizabeth Hartman Youngstown OH, actress (Walking Tall, Beguiled)
1941 Tim Hardin Oregon, singer (If I Were a Carpenter, Bird on a Wire)
1942 Jerry Koosman pitcher (New York Mets)
1942 Friedrich Schenker composer
1943 Harry Shearer Los Angeles CA, comedian/actor (Saturday Night Live, Simpsons, Pure Luck)
1943 Queen Silvia of Sweden (born in Heidelberg, Germany), wife of King Carl XVI Gustaf
1943 Derek Small rocker (Spinal Tap)
1943 Peter Quaife Devon England, rock bassist (Kinks-Long Tall Sally)
1943 Roelof den Ambtman Dutch actor/director (One Evening at Eva)
1943 Ross Edwards composer
1943 Silvia Sommerlath German wife of King Carl XVI of Sweden (1973- )
1943 Stephen Wallace director (For Love Affair, Hunger, Mail Order Bride)
1944 D J D Dees pharmacist/Dutch minister of WVC (VVD)
1944 Enneüs Heerma Dutch minister of Housing (CDA)
1944 Hans Tentije [Johann Krämer] Dutch poet (Nachtwit)
1944 U C Joshi cricketer (Sussex off-spinner 1970-74 from India)
1945 Richard C Wohlhuter 800 meter runner (Olympics-bronze-1976)
1945 Ronald Bushy rocker (Iron Butterfly-In A Gadda Da Vida)
1945 Georges Aperghis composer
1946 Tony Craig [Kulasa] Pittsburgh PA, actor (That Boy Next Door)
1947 Bill Rodgers marathon runner (Boston, New York)
1948 Jack Ham NFL linebacker (Steelers)
1949 Luther Grosvenor rocker (Spooky Tooth)
1949 Susan Lucci Scarsdale NY, actress (All My Children, Mafia Princess)
1949 Wally Edwards cricketer (three Tests Australia vs England 1974)
1951 Johnny Contardo singer (Sha Na Na)
1952 Hans Abrahamsen composer
1953 John Callahan Brooklyn NY, actor (Craig-Santa Barbara, Falcon Crest)
1953 Tatsumi Fujinami wrestler (WWF/NWA)
1954 Brian Teacher San Diego CA, tennis star
1955 Dave Murray English pop guitarist (Iron Maiden-Number of the Beast)
1956 Michele Alboretto formula-1 racer (Ferrari)
1958 Denise McConnell Wiesbaden Germany, playmate (March, 1979)
1958 Joan Severance Houston TX, actress (Hear No Evil, See No Evil)
1958 Dave Murray English pop guitarist (Iron Maiden-Powerslave)
1960 William Sinnot Scottish pop musician (Shamen-Move Any Mountain)
1960 Zindzi Mandela daughter of Nelson & Winnie Mandela
1962 Jerry Reynolds NBA guard/forward (Milwaukee Bucks)
1963 Carol Peterka Little Falls MN, team handball back court (Olympics-92, 96)
1963 Jim Harbaugh NFL quarterback (Indianapolis Colts)
1963 Keiji Muto wrestler (NWA/WWC/NJPW)
1964 Andy Gabel Chicago IL, short track skater (Olympics-1994)
1964 Petr Klima Chaomutov Czechoslovakia, NHL right wing (Tampa Bay Lightning)
1965 Eddie Vedder heavy metal singer (Pearl Jam-Justine)
1965 Slash rocker (Guns N' Roses)
1966 Hans van Arum Dutch soccer player (Vitesse, Willem II)
1967 Lamar Lathon NFL linebacker (Carolina Panthers)
1969 Rodney Culver NFL running back (San Diego Chargers)
1969 Stephen Grant NFL linebacker (Indianapolis Colts)
1970 Shannon Noelle DePuy Lynchburg VA, Miss Virginia-America (1991-top 10)
1970 Kimberly Ann Cooley Grand Forks ND, Miss America-North Dakota (1996)
1970 Martha Byrne actress (Lily Snyder-As the World Turns)
1970 Raymont Harris NFL running back (Chicago Bears)
1971 Corey Haim Toronto Ontario, actor (Silver Bullet, Lucas, License to Drive)
1971 Pete Bercich NFL linebacker (Minnesota Vikings)
1971 Steve Stenstrom quarterback (Chicago Bears)
1973 Tony Graziani quarterback (Atlanta Falcons)
1977 Becky Ruehl Lakeside Park KY, diver (Olympics-4th-1996)
1977 Helen Mahmastol Miss Universe-Estonia (1996)
Deaths which occurred on December 23:
0558 Childebert king of France (511-58), dies at about 62
0679 Dagobert II king of Austrasia (676-679), murdered
0918 Conrad I East Frankish/German king (911-18), dies
1116 Ivo van Chartres French canonist/bishop of Chartres/saint, dies
1236 Philippus Cancellarius French theologist/poet (Summa Cum Laude), dies
1502 Margaretha English princess of Burgundy, dies at 57
1569 St Philip metropolitan of Moscow, martyred by Ivan the Terrible
1588 Hendrik de Guise French leader of Catholic League, murdered at 37
1619 Johan Sigismund elector of Brandenburg/duke of Prussia, dies at 47
1652 John Cotton Massachusetts Bay Puritan preacher, dies at 68
1688 Jean-Louis Lully composer, dies at 21
1696 Johann David Mayer composer, dies at 60
1789 Charles-Michel abbé de l'Epéé (school for the deaf), dies at 77
1812 Michel Delalande composer, dies at 73
1891 Holger Simon Paulli composer, dies at 81
1908 Eduard Wachmann composer, dies at 72
1908 François A Gevaert Belgian/Dutch composer (Diable au Moulin), dies at 68
1909 King Leopold II of Belgium
1911 Karl L Hoschna composer, dies at 34
1913 James Middleton cricketer (24 wicket of lefty pace South Africa 1895-1903), dies
1915 Roland Leighton dies at 20
1925 A S C Wallis [Adèle von Antal-Opzoomer] writer (Vorstengunst), dies
1930 Johannes H Been Brielle archivist, dies at 71
1938 Robert Herrick US writer (Chimes), dies at 70
1939 Anthony H G Fokker Dutch airplane builder (Spider), dies at 49
1943 Theo[dorus J] Thijssen Dutch writer (Kees de Jongen), dies at 64
1945 Mogens Klitgaard Danish author (Brunkul), dies at 39
1948 Hideki Tojo Japan PM & 6 other Japanese hanged for war crimes by US
1950 Vincenzo Tommasini composer, dies at 72
1951 Alfreds Kalnins composer, dies at 72
1951 Benito Lynch Irish/Argentine writer (Palo Verde), dies at 66
1953 Lavrenti P Beria soviet minister of internal security, executed
1959 Lester Lonergan Jr actor (Growing Paynes), dies at 65
1959 Edward Halifax English viscount/viceroy of India, dies at 78
1959 Lord Irwin ambassador to US (1940-46), dies at 78
1962 George Saiko writer, dies at 70
1962 Luis Alberni actor (Topaze), dies at 76
1964 Arrigo Pedrollo composer, dies at 86
1966 Heimito von Doderer writer, dies at 70
1966 Robert Keith actor (Battle Circus, Men in War), dies at 68
1967 Karen Verne actress (Ships of Fools, Underground), dies at 49
1967 Richard Flury composer, dies at 71
1967 Ruth Fuller Sasaki head of 1st Zen Institute of America, dies at 75
1969 Donald Foster actor (Scaramouche), dies after long illness at 80
1970 Charlie Ruggles actor (Ruggles, Aesop-Bullwinkle Show), dies at 84
1971 Carlo Jachino composer, dies at 84
1972 Andrej N Tupolev Russian aircraft builder, dies at 84
1973 Arthur Richardson cricketer (9 Tests 1924-26), dies
1975 Richard S Welch CIA station chief in Athens, shot dead
1976 Paul M Frank Forest actor (Big Broadcast of 1937, Champagne Waltz), dies at 80
1976 Walter Bauer writer, dies at 72
1982 Jack Webb actor (Joe Friday-Dragnet), dies of a heart attack at 62
1982 Norman Dinnerstein composer, dies at 45
1985 James Vance (20) & Raymond Belknap (18) commit suicide, sparking their families to sue rock group Judas Priest for subliminal messages
1989 Josef Alexander composer, dies at 82
1990 Frank King cricketer (West Indies fast bowler played 14 Tests 1953-56), dies
1991 Byron Q Griffith producer/actor, dies at 73
1992 Cyril Walters cricketer (11 Tests for England, 784 runs), dies
1992 Eddie Hazel US pop guitarist (Funkadelic-Knee Deep), dies at 42
1993 Gertrude "Trudi" Duby Blom actress, shot to death at about 92
1994 Charles Shirley jazz arranger, dies at 74
1994 Didier Rocher son of French cosmetic maker Yves Rocher, dies at 41
1994 Nora Dunfree US actress (Grass Harp), dies at 78
1994 Sebastian Lewis Shaw actor (High Season, Ace of Spades), dies at 89
1995 David Land impressario, dies at 77
1995 Gabrielle Keiller collector/golfer, dies at 87
1995 Patric Reginald Lawrence Knowles actor (Chisum, Mutiny), dies at 84
1996 Rina Ketty singer, dies at 85
1996 Ronnie Scott musician/club-owner, dies at 69
1997 Austin Whitaker schoolmaster classical scholar/archivist, dies at 90
1997 Brian Malzard Foss psychologist, dies at 76
1997 Donald Gunn MacRae sociologist, dies at 76
1997 Hrvoje Horvatic video artist, dies at 39
1997 Keith Bentley international racing cyclist, dies at 72
1997 Stanley Cortez cinematographer (Magnificent Ambersons), dies at 92
Reported: MISSING in ACTION
( Expanded with full Bios, history, & MIA report )
1965 SHANKEL WILLIAM L. SAN ANDREAS CA 02/12/73 RELEASED BY DRV ALIVE AND WELL 98
1966 REEVES JOHN HOWARD CANADA
1970 BOOTH GARY P. OLYMPIA WA "ACFT BROKE UP, SAR NEG"
1970 MC ANDREWS MICHAEL W. FORT LAUDERDALE FL "ACFT BROKE UP, SAR NEG"
1970 WISEMAN BAIN W. JR. TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCE NM "ACFT BROKE UP, SAR NEG"
