Today in History - History - December 26th

1938Bradman scores 225 South Aust v Qld before Christ gets him out

1799George Washington is eulogized by Col Henry Lee as "1st in war, 1st in peace & 1st in hearts of his countrymen"

1919Yankees & Red Sox reach agreement on transfer of Babe Ruth the Yankees

1620Elizabeth Báthory's crimes are uncovered.

1986Mark Messier is suspended for 10 games for instigating a fight with Jamie Macoun and breaking his cheekbone

1776George Washington defeats Hessians at Battle of Trenton in American Revolutionary War

1991Jack Ruby's gun sells for $220,000 in auction

1966Jimi Hendrix writes "Purple Haze" backstage at the Upper Cut Club

1924Judy Garland, 2½, billed as Baby Frances, makes her show business debut

1908Jack Johnson TKOs Tommy Burns in 14 for heavyweight boxing title, becomes 1st black heavyweight champion

1935Gnassingbé Eyadéma, Pya Togo, General and President of Togo (1967 - 2005)

1921Steve Allen, NYC, comedian/TV host (Tonight Show, Steve Allen Show)

1893Mao Zedong, Shaoshan, Hunan, Chinese revolutionary & Chairman of the Communist Party of China (1949-76), (d. 1976)

1791Charles Babbage, London, British inventor (calculating machine), (d. 1871)

1948MLB player Gil Hodges (24) weds Joan Lombardi

2001"Harry Potter" author J. K. Rowling (36) weds anesthesiologist Neil Murray (30) in Aberfeldy, Scotland

1946Actor Jackie Coogan (32) weds Ann McCormack (22)

1941Jazz musician Ella Fitzgerald (24) weds convicted drug dealer Benny Kornegay

2002Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal (30) weds Shaunie Nelson at The Beverly Hills Hotel's Crystal Garden

1959NFL coach John Madden (23) weds Virginia Fields

1843US Navy flag officer David Farragut (42) weds Virginia Loyall

1993Comedian Rodney Dangerfield (72) weds Joan Child (41) at Silver Bells Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas

1989Doug Harvey, Canadian ice hockey player, dies of cirrhosis of the liver at 65

1972Harry Truman, 33rd US President (1945-53), dies in KC Mo at 88

2004Reggie White, American football player, dies at 43

2006Gerald R Ford, 38th President of the United States, dies at 93