THIS WEEK

DECEMBER 16, 1944

The Battle of the Bulge began with Allied forces heavily outnumbered.

The breakout from Normandy and the push toward Germany had happened faster than hoped, so the Allies ended up close to the enemy. Some US successes, while hugely outnumbered, were incredible, and Winston Churchill said it would go down in history as “an everfamous American victory”.

DECEMBER 19, 1915

Born in Belleville, Paris, Edith Gassion would become famous as Edith Piaf, the Little Sparrow.

La Vie En Rose and Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien are among her brilliant recordings.

DECEMBER 20, 1955

Cardiff, only made a city 50 years earlier, was proclaimed as the capital of Wales. Such decisions are often based on a place being the centre of political decisions, which explains how Ludlow was once considered the Welsh capital – despite being in England!

DECEMBER 21, 1937

Now, this was what you call a Christmas present – one that keeps giving, year after year, for kids of all ages.

On this day, the premiere of Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs, the first-ever full-length animated feature, was held at a Hollywood theatre. Judy Garland and Marlene Dietrich were among those who gave the film a standing ovation.

DECEMBER 22, 1990

Former union leader Lech Walesa, became President of Poland, overseeing the move from Communism to post-communism.