Today in History - History - December 23rd

1997Colorado Avalanche Jari Kurri is 8th NHLer to score 600 career goals

1913President Woodrow Wilson signs Federal Reserve Act into law

1987Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme, serving a life sentence for attempted assassination of Pres Gerald R Ford escapes from Alderson Prison

19707,511th performance of Agatha Christie's play "The Mousetrap" (record)

1783General George Washington resigns his military commission as Commander-in-Chief of the Army to Congress

1994Fearing arrest by the FBI, Whitey Bulger flees Boston, and successfully hides from law enforcement for the next 16 years

1930Bette Davis arrives in Hollywood under contract to Universal Studios

1776Thomas Paine writes "These are the times that try men's souls"

1779Benedict Arnold court-martialed for improper conduct

1888Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh cuts off his left ear

245Zenobia, Palmyra, Syria, Queen of Palmyra, (d. 274)

1891Cy Denneny, Farran's Point Ontario, Canadian ice hockey hall of famer

1867Madame C. J. Walker, Louisiana, cosmetic mogul (Madam C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company), (d. 1919)

1805Joseph Smith Jr, Sharon Vermont, founder (Mormon Church), (d. 1844)

1981Astronaut Chris Hadfield (22) weds high-school girlfriend Helene Walter

1951MLB centerfielder Mickey Mantle (20) weds author Merlyn Mantle (19) in Commerce, Oklahoma

1997Woody Allen, 62 weds Soon-Yi Previn 27, adopted daughter of Mia Farrow

2007"Dr. Izzie Stevens" actress Katherine Heigl (29) weds singer-songwriter Josh Kelley (27) at Stein Eriksen Lodge in Park City, Utah

1961Actor Martin Sheen (21) weds Janet Templeton

1847Prime Minister of Canada Mackenzie Bowell (24) weds Harriet Moore