December 4 In History

December 4 in History

December 4th is…
Cabernet Franc Day
National Cheetah Day
Cookie Day
National Dice Day
National Sock Day

1674 – In what is now Chicago, Father Jacques Marquette founded a mission on the shores of Lake Michigan to minister to the Illiniwek Indians.

1791 – The first edition of The Observer, the world’s first Sunday newspaper, was published in London.

1872 – The US ship Mary Celeste was found, in good condition, but with no one aboard, in the Atlantic Ocean.

1875 – New York City politician Boss Tweed escaped from prison.

1881 – The Los Angeles Times began publication.

1917 – “Shell Shock” was introduced as psychological trauma for war veterans.

1921 – The first Virginia Rappe manslaughter trial against Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle ended in a hung jury. (It was a horrible accident)

1933 – Tobacco Road (Broadway Play) Opened on December 4, 1933, and closed on May 31, 1941

1943 – Major League Baseball Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis announced that any club could employ black players.

1945 – The Senate approved the participation of the United States in the UN. The United Nations began several weeks earlier, on October 24, 1945.

1952 – Starting today and over the next several days, Smog (severe air pollution) killed over 4,000 people in London.

1954 – #1 Hit December 4, 1954 – January 21, 1955: The Chordettes – Mr. Sandman

1954 – The first Burger King (Insta Burger King) opened in Miami, Florida, and was owned by James McLamore and David Edgerton.

1956 – The Million Dollar Quartet (Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash) got together at Sun Studio. The recordings were released in 1981 and 1990.

1965 – #1 Hit December 4, 1965 – December 24, 1965: The Byrds – Turn! Turn! Turn!

1971 – #1 Hit December 4, 1971 – December 24, 1971: Sly and the Family Stone – Family Affair

1971 – A fire broke out at the Montreux Casino during a Frank Zappa concert; this event was the inspiration for Deep Purple’s iconic rock anthem Smoke on the Water

1973 – NASA’s Pioneer 10 reached Jupiter.

1980 – Led Zeppelin officially disbanded following the death of drummer John Bonham on September 25th.

1981 – Falcon Crest premiered on CBS.

1981 – You Can’t Do That on Television premiered on Nickelodeon.
1981 – Reds premiered in theaters. Warren Beatty wrote, directed, and starred in the film.

1991 – Pan American World Airways (Pan Am) ceased operations.

2009 – American Amanda Knox was convicted of murdering her British roommate, Meredith Kercher, in Italy. (it was later overturned)

2010 – #1 Hit December 4, 2010 – December 10, 2010: Rihanna – Only Girl (In the World)

December 4, 2021 – December 24, 2021: Adele – Easy on Me

Today in History
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