December 21

December 21 in the history of the Birmingham District:

• 2011: Charles Samuels was appointed director of the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.
• 2010: New multi-space parking meters were installed on Short 20th Street in front of Birmingham City Hall on a trial basis.
• 2009: A truck carrying steel pipes overturned on the entrance ramp from 1st Avenue North to I-20 east.
• 1952: Pastor Charles Bowles dedicated the new Sunday School wing at Hunter Street Baptist Church.
• 1902: Streetcar service on the No. 5 Ensley line began.

Bill Voigt, born December 21, 1938

Births

• 1989: Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram Jr was born in Hackensack, New Jersey.
• 1938: Civic leader Bill Voigt was born in San Luis Obispo, California.
• 1924: University of Alabama administrator John Blackburn was born in Malta Bend, Missouri.

Marriages

• 1912: Former Mayor of Birmingham Mel Drennen married Eloise August Johnson in New York City.
• 1898: Educator A. H. Parker, twice-widowed, married Anna Gilbert.
• 1886: Attorney Mitchell A. Porter married Hattie Earle of Tyler, Texas.

Deaths

• 2010: James Head, founder of James A. Head & Company and notable civic leader, died.
• 2001: Alabama Crimson Tide football star Ed Salem died.
• 1993: Radio announcer Joe Rumore died.
• 1921: Joseph Mantione, 32 and his wife, Susie, 20, were robbed and killed at their store on 32nd Avenue North and Church Street. The murderers set fire to the store to cover up the crime. Thomas Price ran into the burning building and rescued their 10-month-old son, Pete. The weapon, an ax, was found under the stove at the scene. Three suspects were indicted by a Grand Jury in January 1922. Lillie Byrd, who owed money to the Mantiones, was convicted of both murders, tried in April 1922, and sentenced to two 99-year terms.
• 1909: Engineer John A. Milner died in Birmingham.
• 1871: Former Governor of Alabama John Winston died in Mobile.
• 1868: Former University of Alabama president Basil Manly died in South Carolina.

Sports

• 1990: Chan Gailey was named head coach of the Birmingham Fire.
• 1979: The Atlanta Flames' Garry Unger set an NHL record for consecutive regular season games with 914.
• 1974: A Kenny Stabler pass into a "sea of hands" (including Mike Kolen's) was secured by Clarence Davis for a game-winning Raiders touchdown in an NFL playoff game against the reigning Miami Dolphins.