December 19th is the 353rd day of the year. There are 12 days remaining until the end of the year

Today is National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day, National Hard Candy Day, National Oatmeal Muffin Day, National Emo Day and Look for an Evergreen Day

In 1732, Benjamin Franklin, under the name of Richard Saunders, began publishing "Poor Richard's Almanac" in Philadelphia.
In 1776, Thomas Paine published his first "American Crisis" essay, in which he wrote, "These are the times that try men's souls."
In 1777, Gen. George Washington led his army of about 11,000 men to Valley Forge, Pa., to camp for the winter.
In 1823, the first state birth registration law was enacted in Georgia.
In 1828, South Carolina declared the right of states to nullify federal laws.
In 1842, the United States recognized the independence of Hawaii.
In 1871, Corrugated paper was patented by Albert L. Jones of New York City.
In 1891, Charles Uncles of Baltimore became the first Negro Catholic priest to be ordained in the U.S.
In 1910, Rayon was first commercially produced.
In 1918, Robert Ripley began his "Believe It or Not" column in The New York Globe.
In 1941, Hitler took complete command of the German Army; The U.S. Office of Censorship was created to control information pertaining to the war.
In 1950, General Dwight D. Eisenhower was named commander of the military forces of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
In 1955, Carl Perkins recorded "Blue Suede Shoes."
In 1958, the first known radio broadcast from outer space was transmitted. President Eisenhower's recorded voice issued a Christmas greeting aboard an orbiting space satellite Atlas for the whole world. The message said, "To all mankind, America's wish for Peace on Earth and Good Will to Men Everywhere."
In 1959, Walter Williams, 117, said to be the last surviving veteran of the Civil War, died in Houston.
In 1960, Frank Sinatra recorded his first session with Reprise Records, singing "Ring-A-Ding-Ding" and "Let's Fall in Love."
In 1971, CBS aired "The Homecoming: A Christmas Story," a TV movie that introduced the Waltons.
In 1971, Stanley Kubrick's X-rated "A Clockwork Orange" premiered in New York, Toronto, San Francisco and Hollywood.
In 1974, Nelson A. Rockefeller was sworn in as the 41st vice president of the United States.
In 1975, Ron Wood joined the Rolling Stones.
In 1984, Britain and China signed an accord returning the British colony of Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty on July 1, 1997.
In 1984, At 23, Wayne Gretzky became the youngest and the 18th NHL'er to score a career 1,000th point on an assist in Edmonton's 7-3 win over the Los Angeles Kings, his 632nd game.

Actors:

Jennifer Beals is 62 (“Flashdance,” “The Book of Eli”)
Rosa Blasi is 53 (“Make It or Break It,” “Strong Medicine”)
Jake Gyllenhaal is 45 (“Donnie Darko,” “Brokeback Mountain”)
Amy Locane is 54 (“Cry-Baby,” “Secretary”)
Mike Lookinland is 65 (‘Bobby Brady’ on “The Brady Bunch”)
Alyssa Milano is 53 (“Who's the Boss?,” “My Name is Earl”)
Tim Reid is 81 (“WKRP in Cincinnati,” “That 70’s Show”)
Til Schweiger is 62 (“Inglourious Basterds,” “This Means War”)
Marla Sokoloff is 45 (“Dude, Where’s My Car?” “Fuller House”)
Tara Summers is 46 (“Hitchcock,” “Boston Legal”)
Kristy Swanson is 56 (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Psych”)
The late Cicely Tyson (1924 – 2021) (“The Help,” “Fried Green Tomatoes”)
The late Robert Urich (1946-2002)…he would have been 79 (“Vega$,” “Spenser: For Hire”)