1892 - Composer Yrjo Kilpinen was born. 

1901 - The Giacomo Puccini opera "Tosca" made its U.S. debut. 

1937 - Glen Gray and his Casa Loma Orchestra recorded "A Study in Brown." 

1954 - The Drifters recorded "White Christmas." 

1955 - James Brown recorded "Please Please Please." 

1959 - Frankie Avalon and Jimmy Clanton took over headlining the Winter Dance Party after the death of Buddy Holly. 

1961 - Johnny Burnette was rushed to a hospital in Hollywood for an emergency appendectomy. 

1969 - "Carl Perkins Day" was celebrated in Jackson, TN. 

1971 - Diana Ross guest starred on Danny Thomas' "Make Room For Granddaddy" TV show. 

1974 - John Lennon and Yoko Ono temporarily seperated. 
John Lennon Merchandise - Today in Beatles History - Beatles apparel and gear 

1977 - "American Bandstand" celebrated its 25th anniversary with an ABC-TV special hosted by Dick Clark. 
Today in American Bandstand History 

1977 - Fleetwood Mac's second album, "Rumours", was released. 
Fleetwood Mac Store 

1983 - Karen Carpenter died from heartbeat irregularities brought on by chemical imbalances associated with anorexia nervosa. 

1991 - "Cher at the Mirage" aired on CBS-TV. 

1996 - Rob Pilatus, formerly of Milli-Vanilli, was hospitalized when he was hit over the head with a baseball bat in Hollywood. Pilatus was attempting to steal a car. The owner was the person who hit him. 

1999 - Freddy Fender received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It was the 2,129th star to be dedicated. 

2001 - Jimmy Buffet was ordered by NBA referee Joe Forte to give up his courtside seat due to the use of profanity. After a several-minute delay, the game between the Miami Heat and the visiting New York Knicks continued. 

2002 - Stevie Wonder sang "Happy Birthday" to Rosa Parks on her 89th birthday at the premiere of the made-for-TV movie "Ride to Freedom: The Rosa Parks Story."