Today in History for 16th January 2018:
Historical Events
929 – Caliphate of Cordoba is established by Emir Abd-ar-Rahman III
1913 – British House of Commons accepts Home Rule for Ireland (but the Great War gets in the way of it happening)
1956 – Egyptian President Nasser pledges to reconquer Palestine
1980 – Paul McCartney jailed in Tokyo for 10 days on marijuana possession
1991 – 7th Soap Opera Digest Awards – Days of Our Lives wins
1995 – UPN (Universal-Parmount Network) begins telecasting (WWOR in NYC)
Famous Birthdays
1872 – Henri-Paul Busser, composer
1908 – Ethel Merman, American stage and screen actress (Anything Goes, Call Me Madam), born in Queens, New York (d. 1984)
1914 – Roger Wagner, American choral musician (d. 1992)
1937 – Lorraine Bayly, Australian actress
1960 – Richard Elliot, Scottish-born American jazz saxophonist (When a Man Loves a Woman cover), born in Glasgow, Scotland
1967 – Jeff Branson, Waynesboro Miss, infielder (Cincinnati Reds)
Famous Deaths
1979 – Fred Elizalde, composer, dies at 71
1987 – Earl Wilson, Bdwy columnist (Midnight Earl), dies in Yonkers at 79
1996 – Harry Potts, footballer/manager, dies at 75
2002 – Ron Taylor, American actor (b. 1952)
2007 – Ron Carey, American actor (Barney Miller), dies of a stroke at 71
2014 – Russell Johnson, American television and film actor, best known for his role as “The Professor” on Gilligan’s Island, dies of kidney failure at 89