Historical Events
- Engelbert Humperdinck's "Hansel & Gretel" becomes 1st complete opera to be telecast (WGRB, Schenectady, New York)
Appointment of Interest
General Bernard Montgomery told he is appointed commandant for D-day
Famous Birthdays
- Derek Small, British fictional heavy metal bassist (Spinal Tap), born in Nilford-on-Null, West Midlands, England
- Elizabeth Hartman, American actress (A Patch of Blue, Beguilled), born in Youngstown, Ohio (d. 1987)
- Harry Shearer, American screenwriter, actor (SNL, 1975-85; The Simpsons; This Is Spinal Tap), radio host (Le Show), and musician, born in Los Angeles, California
- Mikhail Gromov, Russian-born mathematician, born in Boksitogorsk, Russia
- Roelof den Ambtman, Dutch actor and director (One Evening at Eva), born in Maurik, Netherlands
- Ross Edwards, Australian composer (Dawn Mantras), born in Sydney, Australia
- Silvia Sommerlath, German wife of King Carl XVI of Sweden, born in Heidelberg, Germany
- Stephen Wallace, Australian director (For Love Affair, Hunger, Mail Order Bride), born in New South Wales, Australia
Famous Deaths
- Theo Thijssen, Dutch writer (Kees the boy), dies at 64
About December 23, 1943
Day of the Week: Thursday
How Long Ago? 79 years, 9 months and 6 days
Leap Year: No
Generation: Silent Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Goat/Sheep
Star Sign: Capricorn
