Memorable Birthdays for December 24
Benjamin Rush (1745-1813) - Physician and politician who signed the Declaration of Independence.
Johnny Gruelle (1880-1939) - Author and illustrator who created the Raggedy Ann and Andy and the books with their characters.
Charles Wakefield Cadman (1881-1946) - Composer and critic.
Jack Thayer (1894-1945) - First class passenger on the Titanic who survived to become a successful author and businessman.
Marguerite Williams (1895-1991) - The first Black to earn a doctorate degree in geology.
Howard Hughes (1905-1976) - Billionaire, filmmaker and aviator who lived as a recluse.
George Patton IV (1923-2004) - Major general in the U.S. Army and the son of General George Patton Jr.
William C. Schneider (1923-1999) - Aerospace engineer for NASA.
Libby Larsen (1950-Still Living) - Co-founder of the American Composers Forum.
Scott Fischer (1955-1996) - Expert mountaineer.
Clarence Gilyard (1955-2022) - Actor remembered for his role as Conrad McMasters on the series Matlock.
Mary Barra (1961-Still Living) - The first woman to run a global automotive company.
Kate Spade (1962-2018) - Fashion designer.
Stephenie Meyer (1973-Still Living) - Author who is best known for writing the Twilight series.
Jane Summersett (1987-Still Living) - Ice dancer.
Memorable Events for December 24
1826 - The Eggnog Riot at the U.S. Military Academy.
1832 - The first "Negro" hospital is founded (by whites).
1893 - Henry Ford completes his first gas-fuelled engine.
1901 - The use of the word "postcard" replaces the words "souvenir card."
1912 - Irving Fisher patents the archiving system.
1943 - General Eisenhower is named Supreme Allied Commander for Operation Overlord.
1948 - The first solar heated house is occupied in the U.S.