Week of December 11, 1971

The Senate confirms the Supreme Court nomination of

President Nixon warns the Russians to restrain India from

attacking West Pakistan.

22 construction workers die when a natural gas explosion rips

a tunnel being built 150 feet below Lake Huron. The workmen

were pouring reinforcing concrete into the sides of the tunnel about 1-½ miles

offshore when it blew up.

President Nixon lands in the ran-swept Azores for two days of mid-Atlantic talks

on the money crisis and other world issues with French President Georges

Pompidou and Portuguese Premier Marcello Caetano. He later announces the

U.S. dollar will be de-valued.

Pakistan’s military command in East Pakistan accepts India’s surrender

ultimatum unconditionally.

India declares a unilateral cease-fire on the West Pakistan front as its troops

marched into Dacca to accept the unconditional surrender of the Pakistani army

in East Pakistan

Former Sen. Eugene J. McCarthy discloses that he is a candidate for the

Democratic presidential nomination, but would skip the first-in-the-nation New

Hampshire primary, which catapulted his 1968 presidential ambitions.

A Cuban gunboat attacks a Miami-based freighter in Bahamian waters and took

possession of the vessel after wounding the captain and two crewmen.

“whining, complaining delinquent and small-time card thief

with an aversion to work” - is sentenced to life in prison for

the 1969 slayings of Gary Hinman and Donald (Shorty) Shea.

Sperm Bank Opens - The Idant Corp officially opens the first

of 20 frozen sperm banks it plans to start in 20 U.s. cities by

the end of 1972. 23 deposits made within the previous 10

days were already in the bank’s nitrogen vault that is kept at

Week of December 11, 1971

321 below zero. The average age of the first depositors was 25. The youngest is

21. The fee is $80 for freezing three semen evaluations and $100 additional for

storage charges for 10 years.

$1,606,438 but more than half went for debts and

expenses according to court papers on file. Kennedy’s

widow, Ethel, received $358,842, and $17,210 went to

each of their 11 children; according to papers filed in

Manhattan surrogate Court.

The Senate passes a compromise bill extending for a year

President Nixon’s wage and price control powers and provides for payment of

most raises caught in the pay freeze.

Congress votes to give Alaska natives $962.5 million and 40 million acres in

settlement of their aboriginal land claims.

Bernardino drive-in restaurant into the prototype for

more than 1,500 McDonalds Golden Arches

hamburger stands dies in his sleep in Palm Springs.

He was 69.

Passing - Communications pioneer David Sarnoff,

who broke the news of the Titanic disaster in 1912 and

went on to become the head of the giant RCA

organization. He was 80.

Sports -

After $900 worth of hair transplants, Bobby Hull’s golden locks are thick enough

for him to qualify for a television shampoo commercial.

Christmas trend - the nostalgia wave is likely to mean rag dolls, trains and

classic games under the Christmas tree this year.

Television news -

“Brian’s Song” - the compassionate tale of the short, happy life of football player

Brian Piccolo, receives the highest rating any movie made for television has ever

had and higher than any movie shown on the networks this season. “Brian’s

Song” drew a 32.9 rating.

Week of December 11, 1971

Sunday night television -

CBS - 60 Minutes, Movie, Cade’s County

ABC - Hallmark Hall of Fame, Bonanza, Bold Ones

ABC - The FBI, Movie

PBS - Civilisation, William F. Buckley Jr., Masterpiece Theater, An Hour With

Pink Floyd. William F. Buckley

Tazewell’s “The Littlest Angel.”

ABC Sunday Night Movie - “Hurry Sundown” -

Michael Caine.

At the movies -

The Railway Children - Dinah Sheridan

Play Misty for Me

See No evil - Mia Farrow

Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice

Diamonds Are Forever - Sean Connery as James Bond

Willy Wonka & The Chocolate factory

Andy Warhol’s Women

Such Good Friends - Dyan Cannon, James Coco

The French Connection

Werewolves on Wheels

Hells Angels On Wheels - Jack Nicholson

Skin Game - James Garner

Ryan’s Daughter - Robert Mitchum

Walt Disney’s Lady and the Tramp

Chandler - Warrnen Oates, Leslie Caron