Glancing Backward 12/26/2009

Published: December 26, 2009

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Today is Saturday, Dec. 26th, the 360th day of 2009. There are 5 days left in the year. The seven-day African-American holiday Kwanzaa begins today. This is Boxing Day.

Today's Highlight in History:

On Dec. 26, 1799, former President George Washington was eulogized by Col. Henry Lee as "first in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen."

Glancing Backward Locally:

25 years ago - 1984

Mrs. Robert Kosmer received word from Michael A. Corcoran, captain of the U.S. Marine Corps., informing her of the promotion of her son, Robert Ballard, to the rank of Lance Corporal.

About 72 members and guests of the Canton Civic Club, Green Club, Literary Club, Music Club and Village Improvement Association met for a combined Christmas dinner and party at the Wheel Club in Roaring Branch.

Former Towanda student Gabrielle R. Lisella was one of 234 students receiving degrees from East Stroudsburg University. She got her B.S. in physical education.

50 years ago - 1959

Dr. Walter G. Gillette Jr. of Waverly, a member of the surgical staff of the Tioga County General Hospital, received his fellowship in the American College of Surgeons.

The new ambulance garage at Memorial Hospital will be dedicated this morning and the ambulances will be moved into the new building today.

Fifteen members of Explorer Post 3, Canton, have spent many hours over the past two months gathering up and renovating old toys for distribution by the Bradford County Child Welfare Service.

75 years ago - 1934

Jack Graham of Towanda probably has the most unique Christmas tree in this section. In his blacksmith shop, he has a "Depression Christmas Tree," on which he has hung all the bills of people who have owed him for years and probably will never pay. The bills amount to about $2,800.

The Salvation Army of Towanda gave out 226 Christmas baskets containing food for 2,108 holiday dinners.

Seen about the borough: A young man entertaining the Review office boys by chewing up glass from a broken electric light bulb and swallowing it.

Elsewhere on this date:

In 1776, the British suffered a major defeat in the Battle of Trenton during the Revolutionary War.

In 1917, during World War I, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation authorizing the government to take over operation of the nation's railroads.

In 1941, Winston Churchill became the first British prime minister to address a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress.

In 1944, during the World War II Battle of the Bulge, the embattled U.S. 101st Airborne Division in Bastogne, Belgium, was relieved by units of the 4th Armored Division.

In 1947, heavy snow blanketed the Northeast, burying New York City under 26.4 inches of snow in 16 hours; the severe weather was blamed for some 80 deaths.

Ten years ago: The crew of space shuttle Discovery packed up its tools and prepared to return home after an eight-day mission of repairs to the Hubble Space Telescope that NASA declared a success. Alfonso Portillo, a populist lawyer, scored a resounding victory in Guatemala's first peacetime presidential elections in nearly 40 years.

Five years ago: More than 200,000 people, mostly in southern Asia, were killed by a tsunami triggered by a powerful earthquake beneath the Indian Ocean. An unmanned cargo ship docked at the international space station, ending a shortage that forced astronauts to ration supplies. Peyton Manning of the Indianapolis Colts broke Dan Marino's single-season touchdown pass record when he threw his 48th and 49th of the season against San Diego. (The Colts defeated San Diego in overtime, 34-31.)

One year ago: Caroline Kennedy emerged from weeks of near-silence about her bid for a New York Senate seat; in an interview with The Associated Press and NY1 television, the daughter of President John F. Kennedy said she felt compelled to answer the call to service issued by her father a generation earlier. (Kennedy later dropped her bid; Kirsten Gillibrand was appointed by New York Gov. David Paterson.)

Today's Birthdays: Actor Donald Moffat is 79. Actor Caroll Spinney (Big Bird on "Sesame Street") is 76. R&B singer Abdul "Duke" Fakir (The Four Tops) is 74. Record producer Phil Spector is 70. "America's Most Wanted" host John Walsh is 64. Country musician Bob Carpenter (The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band) is 63. Baseball Hall of Fame catcher Carlton Fisk is 62. All-Star baseball player Chris Chambliss is 61.

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