Poor Gabriel's Almanac - December 12th

Interesting things that happened December 12th:

Birthdays on this date:

In 1745 John Jay, diplomat, President of the Continental Congress (1778-9), Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, 1789-1795
In 1805 Henry Wells, founded American Express Co. and Wells Fargo and Company
In 1821 Gustave Flaubert (in France), novelist (Madame Bovary)
In 1852 Henri Becquerel, discoverer of radioactivity (Nobel 1903)
In 1863 Edvard Munch, Norwegian painter and print maker (The Scream)
In 1915 Frank Sinatra, singer, "Old Blue Eyes", actor (Ocean's 11, Manchurian Candidate)
In 1918 Joe Williams, jazz singer
In 1923 Bob Barker, game-show host (Truth or Consequences, The Price is Right)
In 1924 Edward Koch, New York City Mayor (1978-89), US Rep. (D-Ny, 1969-77)
In 1929 John Osborne, playwright (Look Back in Anger, The Entertainer)
In 1938 Connie Francis (in Newark, NJ), singer
In 1941 Dionne Warwick (in East Orange, NJ), singer
In 1962 Holly Gagnier (in Los Angeles, CA), actor (One Life to Live)
In 1965 Stephane Proulx (Quebec, Canada), race car driver

Events worth noting:

+ Feast of Dark Virgin of Guadalupe, patron of Mexico
+ Geminid meteor shower, radiant in Gemini
+ Independence Day, celebrated in Kenya
+ National Ding-a-ling Day
In 1787 Pennsylvania becomes the second state.
In 1844 Nitrous oxide first used as a dental anesthetic.
In 1871 Jules Janssen discovers dark lines in solar corona spectrum.
In 1899 George F. Grant patents golf tee.
In 1901 Marconi receives the first trans-Atlantic radio signal from England to Newfoundland.
In 1921 Henrietta Leavitt, cepheid period-luminosity relation discover, dies.
In 1925 Arthur Heinman coins the term "motel," opens one in San Luis Obispo.
In 1937 First mobile television unit, NY city.
In 1963 Kenya gains independence from Britain (National Day).
In 1964 Russia launches Voshkod I, first multi-crew in space (3 men).
In 1965 Gale Sayers of Chicago Bears scores 6 TDs, ties NFL record.
In 1977 Yanks purchase Andy Messersmith from the Braves.
In 1985 Rolling Stones' pianist Ian Stewart dies.

And remember ...

National Indigestion Season

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Although efforts have been taken to ensure the accuracy of this information, several errors have been found in the past. Don't place any bets on the basis of what you find here. If you spot an error, write to Poor Gabriel at poorgabriel@mystery.com .