This Date in History - December 3

I always try to use a photo of somebody that's alive and celebrating a birthday.   Today is Brendan Fraser.  When I say "alive," I mean him and not his career.

915:  POPE JOHN X CROWNED BERENGAR I OF ITALY AS HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR.

Back when, there was no separation between government and religion.

1800:  FRENCH GENERAL MOREAU DECISIVELY DEFEATS THE AUSTRIAN ARCHDUKE JOHN NEAR MUNICH. 

Who?  What?  Do you care?

1818:  ILLINOIS BECOMES THE 21ST STATE.

And the last to have nighttime baseball.

1834:  THE GERMAN CUSTOMS UNION BEGINS THE FIRST REGULAR CENSUS IN GERMANY.

Eine, zwei....

1894:  AUTHOR ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON DIES.

Dirtnapped.

1898:  THE DUQUESNE COUNTRY AND ATHLETIC CLUB DEFEATED AN ALL STAR COLLECTION OF EARLY FOOTBALL GAMES WHICH IS CONSIDERED THE VERY FIRST ALL-STAR GAME FOR PRO FOOTBALL.

Over 100 years later, still nobody cares.

1901:  IN A STATE OF THE UNION MESSAGE, US PRESIDENT TEDDY ROOSEVELT ASKS CONGRESS TO CURB THE POWER OF TRUSTS WITHIN REASONABLE LIMITS.

His wife was a whole lot prettier than Franklin's.  But, of course, that was Teddy's niece.  Creepy.

1910:  MODERN NEON LIGHTING IS FIRST DEMONSTRATED AT THE PARIS MOTOR SHOW.

For the most annoying use of it, please go visit Times Square.

1919:  AFTER NEARLY 20 YEARS OF PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION, INCLUDING TWO COLLAPSES, THE QUEBEC BRIDGE OPENS TO TRAFFIC.

That would have to be some darn good concrete to get me on that bridge.

1925:  THE FINAL LOCARNO TREAT IS SIGNED IN LONDON, ESTABLISHING POST WW1 TERRITORIAL SETTLEMENTS.

This is mine.  This is yours.  Done.

1927:  PUTTING PANTS ON PHILIP, THE FIRST LAUREL AND HARDY FILM, IS RELEASED.

And that's why December 3 should be a national holiday.

1927:  SINGER ANDY WILLIAMS IS BORN.

Just in time for Christmas.

1948:  ROCK STAR OZZY OSBOURNE IS BORN.

Not a good day if you're a rat.

1959:  THE CURRENT FLAG OF SINGAPORE IS ADOPTED. 

I don't even know what the original flag of Singapore looked like.

1960:  ACTRESS JULIANNE MOORE IS BORN.

Hmmm.  Older than I thought.

1960:  THE MUSICAL CAMELOT DEBUTS ON BROADWAY.

Two house seats, please.  Name?  Kennedy.

1964:  POLICE ARREST OVER 800 STUDNETS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT BERKELEY FOLLOWING THEIR SIT-IN.

What were they protesting about?   Could have been anything from the Vietnam War to the price of gum.  These assholes never are satisfied.

1967:  IN SOUTH AFRICA, A TRANSPLANT TEAM HEADED BY CHRISTIAN BERNARD CARRIES OUT THE FIRST HEART TRANSPLANT.

Nowadays, you can get this done at Costco.

1968:  ACTOR BRENDAN FRASER IS BORN.

Rode an elevator with him once.  Beyond that, I have nothing.

1976:  AN ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT IS MADE ON BOB MARLEY.  HE IS SHOT TWICE, BUT WILL PLAY A CONCERT ONLY TWO DAYS LATER.

If the bullet landed in his hair, it's no wonder he survived.

1979:  IN CINCINNATI, OHIO, 11 FANS ARE SUFFOCATED IN A CRUSH FOR SEATS AT A WHO CONCERT.

Who becomes why and how.

1979:  AYATOLLAH KHOMEINI BECOMES THE FIRST SUPREME LEADER OF IRAN.

And that's a quick way to justify your hostages.

1981:  FARMER WALTER KNOTT DIES.

Knott's Bury Farm.

1989:  IN A MEETING IN MALTA, US PRESIDENT GEORGE H.W. BUSH AND SOVIET LEADER MIKHAIL GORBACHEV RELEASE STATEMENTS THAT THE COLD WAR IS OVER.

Putin on the Ritz.

1992:  A TEST ENGINEER FOR SEMA GROUP USES A PERSONAL COMPUTER TO SEND THE FIRST TEXT MESSAGE VIA PHONE.

I don't know if we should thank him or punch him in the face.

1999: NASA LOSES RADIO CONTACT WITH THE MARS POLAR LANDER MOMENTS BEFORE IT ENTERS THE MARTIAN ATMOSPHERE.

Uncle Martin?

1999:  ACTRESS MADELINE KAHN DIES.

A major loss.  Genius.

Dinner last night:  Hamburger and salad.