Historical Events 1893 - Franco-Russian Alliance is signed 1971 - At a party conference in Dublin‚ Sinn Féin end their 65 year abstentionist policy and agree that any elected representative could take their seat at the Dáil 1973 - New Philippine constitution names Marcos president for life 1983 - 10th American Music Awards: John Cougar‚ Rick Springfield‚ and Olivia Newton-John win 1986 - 2nd Sundance Film Festival: "Smooth Talk" wins Grand Jury Prize Dramatic 1995 - Australia beat Australia A 2-0 to win cricket's World Series Cup More Historical Events » Famous Birthdays 1867 - Carl Laemmle‚ German-born film executive (d. 1939) 1927 - Eartha Kitt‚ American singer (Santa Baby)‚ dancer‚ activist‚ and actress (Batman - "Catwoman")‚ born in North‚ South Carolina (d. 2008) 1934 - Sydney Hodkinson‚ Canadian-American classical composer and educator (Eastman School‚ 1973-99)‚ born in Winnipeg‚ Manitoba (d. 2021) 1954 - Susan Kiefel‚ Australian lawyer and judge‚ born in Cairns‚ Australia 1959 - Susanna Hoffs‚ American actress and musician (Bangles-Walk Like an Egyptian)‚ born in Los Angeles‚ California 1982 - Alex Varkatzas‚ American heavy metal singer (Atreyu)‚ born in Orange County‚ California More Famous Birthdays » Famous Deaths 1661 - Andres Malong‚ Philippines rebel leader‚ executed 1933 - John Hodges‚ Australian cricket fast bowler (2 Tests [first 2 played]‚ 6 wickets; Victoria)‚ dies at 77 1996 - Giles Playfair‚ English writer‚ dies at 85 2008 - Rod Allen [Bainbridge] British pop-rock singer and bassist (Fortunes - "You've Got Your Troubles"; "Here It Comes Again")‚ dies of cancer at 63 2010 - Jyoti Basu‚ Indian Communist politician‚ dies at 95 2016 - Dale "Buffin" Griffin‚ English rock drummer (Mott The Hoople - "All Young Dudes")‚ and producer (BBC's John Peel sessions)‚ dies from complications of Alzheimer's disease at 67 More Famous Deaths »