Birthdays

Walt (Walter Elias) Disney (b. 05 Dec 1901 - d. 15 Dec 1966) of Cook County, Chicago, Illinois. Republican. Created "Mickey Mouse" for film; founded the Disney entertainment company; received the Presidential Medal of Freedom on September 14, 1964.

(James) Strom Thurmond (b. 05 Dec 1902 - d. 26 June 2003) of Edgefield, South Carolina. Switched from Democratic to Republican Party in 1964. Farmer, teacher and athletic coach until 1929, when he became superintendent of schools; lawyer. Served in the U.S. Army during World War II, 82nd Airborne Division; Governor of South Carolina, 1947-51. States Rights candidate for President of the United States, 1948, winning four southern states (Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and South Carolina) and 39 electoral votes.

U.S. Senator from South Carolina, 1954-56, becoming the first person in U.S. history to be elected to a major office via a write-in ballot. Resigned (campaign promise) and ran again, serving from 1956-2003, becoming both the longest serving (48 years) and oldest (100) Senator in US history. President Pro Tempore of the Senate from 1981-1987; proponent of the 1956 "Southern Manifesto" opposing the 1954 Supreme Court ruling on desegregation. He died June 26, 2003. CNN Obituary

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