On December 26th, 1944, Tennessee Williams’ play “The Glass Menagerie” was first performed publicly in Chicago.
In 1955, Decca Records released “See You Later, Alligator” by Bill Haley and the Comets.
In 1957, Elvis Presley got a temporary draft deferment so he could finish the movie “King Creole.”
In 1963, Capitol Records released the single “I Want to Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles, which became the band’s first number one hit in the U.S.
In 1967, The Beatles film “Magical Mystery Tour” premiered on BBC television.
In 1968, Led Zeppelin played its first U.S. show, opening for Vanilla Fudge.
In 1973, “The Exorcist” made its premiere nationwide.
In 1974, comedian Jack Benny died. He was 80.
In 1999, musician Curtis Mayfield died outside Atlanta at the age of 57.
In 2010, singer Teena Marie died at her home in Pasadena, California. She was 54. Her death was attributed to natural causes.

Today’s birthdays: Actor Donald Moffat (“Clear and Present Danger”) is 82. Actor Caroll Spinney (Big Bird on “Sesame Street”) is 79. Singer Abdul “Duke” Fakir (fah-KEER’) of The Four Tops is 77. Record producer Phil Spector is 73. “America’s Most Wanted” host John Walsh is 67. Keyboardist Bob Carpenter with The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is 66. Humorist David Sedaris is 56. Drummer James Kottak of Scorpions is 50. Country drummer Brian Westrum of Sons of the Desert is 50. Drummer Lars Ulrich of Metallica is 49. Country singer Audrey Wiggins is 45. Guitarist J (White Zombie) is 45. Guitarist Peter Klett of Candlebox is 43. Singer James Mercer of The Shins is 42. Actor Jared Leto (LEE’-toh) is 41. Singer Chris Daughtry is 33. Actress Beth Behrs (“2 Broke Girls”) is 27. Actress Eden Sher is 21. Actor Zach Mills is 17.