Empress Elizabeth of Russia, or to give her full name – Elizabeth Petrovna, started off as she meant to carry on in 1709. Paramour to Louis XV of France, Jeanne Antoinette Poisson, Marquise de Pompadour aka Madame de Pompadour didn’t court controversy in 1721. Perverts favourite inventor – chemist Charles Macintosh had his dad wet the baby’s head in 1766. Antiquarian who came up with naming the three-age system, (stone, bronze and iron ages) Christian Jürgensen Thomsen arrived in the Colonial period of 1788. Not quite founder of Goodyear tyre company, rubber enthusiast Charles Goodyear was a bouncing baby from 1800. Scowling 17th President of the United States of America, Andrew Johnson tailored his entrance to the world in 1808. Continuing the political theme, four time British Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone had a liberal upbringing from 1809. Mexican revolutionary who went onto become 37th President of Mexico – José Venustiano Carranza Garza pepped up his parents lives from 1859. Co-founder of legendary motorbike company Harley Davidson, William Sylvester Harley released the clutch in 1881. 38th Mayor of Los Angeles, with a terminal at LAX named in his honour – Thomas J Bradley was unable to run for at least a year after his birth in 1917. Inventor of the chicken nugget, Robert C. Baker pecked his way out in 1921. Should have been national treasure, actor Bernard Joseph Cribbins got the drift in 1928. Acting mate of Dick Van Dyke – Mary Tyler Moore joined the American parade in 1936. Controversial and typically blunt Yorkshireman who took to wearing jodhpurs whilst steering a nag around a showjumping ring – Harvey Smith had a clear round in 1938. Also born that year, actor and dad to Angelina Jolie, Jonathan Vincent ‘Jon’ Voight had his deliverance. Indian actor/politician Jatin Khanna or Rajesh Khanna took star billing in 1942. Rug loving, Mars Bar storing ex-squeeze to Mick Jagger, Marianne Faithful started a child’s adventure in 1946. Star of un-amusing sit-com Cheers, Edward Bridge ‘Ted’ Danson III was a little treasure to his parents 76 years ago. Previous editor of left leaning newspepar The Gruniad, Alan Charles Rusbridger hasn’t managed to get his birthdate wrong since 1953. Norihito, Prince Takamado of Japan became seventh in line for the Chrysanthemum Throne in 1954. President of Catalonia, (for a year), before heading onto the safer sanctum of European Parliament – Carles Puigdemont i Casamajó has been an independent child since 1962. Singer with American punk band The Offspring – Bryan Keith ‘Dexter’ Holland found the days go by from 1965. Known for his single from The Snowman, admonished old biddies favourite who pops up on television and radio at various times, Aled, (shouldn’t it be Pallid?) Jones, saw daybreak for the first time in 1970. Having mentioned his ex-partner Sienna Miller only yesterday, today it’s David Jude Heyworth Law’s turn given he had his final cut from his mum in 1972. Rapper mentioned on 4th December when he handed things on to Pimp D, Chad Lamont Butler ‘Pimp C’ got to meet his homies in 1973. Actress Alison Brie (Schermerhorn), has managed to save the date since 1982. Daughter to singer/songwriter Billy, Alexa Ray Joel who is, wait for it, a singer/songwriter started to sketch out her life from 1985. Second member of the Japanese royal family to feature today – Princess Kako of Akishino has been in the middle since 1994.
There aren’t that many notable deaths to report today, but we do start with one of the more famous Archbishops of Canterbury – Thomas Becket or Saint Thomas of Canterbury, Thomas of London and Thomas à Becket left the pulpit in 1170. Chief of the Miniconju, Lakota Sioux – Spotted Elk who was also known as Big Foot had more than a wounded knee in 1890. Subject of song from St. Vitus Dance sufferer Bobby Farrell’s band Boney M, Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin took the bullet in 1916. Extended car manufacturer, (the one with little curtains in the back), Wilhelm Maybach spluttered to a halt in 1929. Outdoorsman and proponent of eating wild foods – Euell Theophilus Gibbons has managed to stay outside and become wild food since 1975. Another British Prime Minister here, this one Maurice Harold Macmillan, 1st Earl of Stockton found all good things come to an end in 1986. Actress and second wife of Charlie Chaplin born Lillita Louise MacMurray, but known as Lita Grey became one of the idle class in 1995. Creator of science fiction cartoon character Barbarella, Jean-Claude Forest hasn’t seen the future since 1998. Classic British comedian with the wart who went onto host various game shows, Robert Alan ‘Bob’ Monkhouse failed to get the top prize in 2003. Singer born Robert Lee Dickey, but went by the name Bobby Purify wished he didn’t have to go in 2011. Indian writer Jagadish Mohanty tried to find a novel way to go in 2013. Actress born Augusta Margaret Diane Fuller, but known as Peggy Cummins, reached that dangerous age in 2017. Fashion designer Pietro (Pierre) Costante Cardin stopped touching cloth in 2020. Finally, two people failed to make it through the day in 2022, slightly edgier fashion designer, Vivienne Isabel Westwood, (née Swire), stopped dying her hair different colours – then there’s legendary footballer Edson Arantes do Nascimento, (or just Pele), who hasn’t swopped shirts.
With thanks to http://www.onthisday.com for filling in the gaps.
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