Today in history—December 24

1818: School teacher and church organist Franz Xavier Gruber of Oberndorf, Austria, writes the music to a poem written by his friend, Father Josef Mohr in a few hours. The song, Stille Nachte (“Silent Night”), will be performed at St. Nicholas Church’s midnight mass.

1867: The R.H. Macy store in New York decides to keep its doors open until midnight on Christmas Eve to catch last-minute shoppers. It’s a big success.

1905: Playboy, industrialist, filmmaker, aircraft designer, and legendary wingnut Howard Hughes (left) is born in Houston, Texas.  Leonardo di Caprio will play him in Martin Scorsese’s new film.

1948: The first Christmas midnight mass is broadcast from St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.

1953: Fatima Cigarettes sponsors a new television program: Dragnet, starring Jack Webb.  The show has been on the radio since 1949.

1985: Cuban caudillo Fidel Castro gives up smoking.