Television

Performer and philanthropist Danny Thomas was born Amos Muzyad Yaqoob Kairouz on January 6, 1912, in Deerfield, Michigan.  In addition to his successful performing career, Thomas was the founder of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

On December 18, 1966, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! premiered on TV.

Boris Karloff was born William Henry Pratt on November 23, 1887, in Camberwell, London, England. Karloff appeared in more than 170 films during his career, becoming a horror icon for his memorable performances in Frankenstein and The Mummy.

On October 21, 1941, Wonder Woman was introduced in All Star Comics #8.

Jazz pianist and composer Thelonious Sphere Monk was born on October 10, 1917, in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.

“The Singing Cowboy,” Orvon Grover “Gene” Autry was born on September 29, 1907, in Tioga, Texas. 

Conductor and composer Leonard (Louis) Bernstein was born on August 25, 1918, in Lawrence, Massachusetts. 

Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock was born on August 13, 1899, in Leytonstone, Essex, England.

On July 20, 1969, the US effectively won the Space Race when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed the Eagle lunar module on the Moon’s surface.