December 31

December 31 in the history of the Birmingham District:

• 2008: Old Car Heaven held its grand opening.
• 2001: The vacant former Gantts Quarry community lost its incorporation.
• 1993: The final Country Boy Eddie Show aired on WBRC-TV.
• 1992: Don Cornutt became the conductor of the Joe Giattina Orchestra.
• 1985: The "Grand Ballroom" opened at The Club.
• 1963: A rare snowfall brought 8 inches to Birmingham.
• 1921: 5 miners were killed in the 1921 Docena Mine explosion.
• 1889: Birmingham's corporate limits were expanded west to 6th Street North and south to Highland Avenue.
• 1886: William Walker organized the Walker Land Company
• 1873: The first Calico Ball was held at the National Bank of Birmingham building.

Business closings

• 2022: Birmingham's Downtown YMCA closed.
• 2018: Excelsior comic, game and book shop closed.
• 2013: Lyric Hot Dogs closed.
• 2010: Pepper Place General Store closed.
• 2006: Michael's on Hwy 280 was closed.
• 1981: Brothers Music Hall closed after a final show by Hotel.

Glenny Brock, born December 31, 1976

Births

• 1981: Auburn Tigers and NFL quarterback Jason Campbell was born in Mississippi.
• 1976: Former Birmingham Weekly editor Glenny Brock was born in Birmingham.
• 1969: Political consultant Iva Williams III was born.
• 1957: Former Gardendale First Baptist Church pastor Steve Gaines was born in Corinth, Mississippi.
• 1945: Former Speaker Pro Tem and 2-year college chancellor Roy W. Johnson was born.
• 1932: Television producer George Schlatter was born in Birmingham.
• 1930: Folk singer Odetta was born in Birmingham.
• 1927: Dance teacher and choreographer Lola Mae Jones Coates was born in Birmingham.
• 1924: Trumpeter, Flügelhornist and composer Wilbur Harden was born in Birmingham.

Marriages

• 1972: Bernard Kincaid married Alfreda Harris.
• 1938: Harry Curl married Bessie Phillips.
• 1929: Attorney Douglas Arant married Letitia Tyler McNeil.
• 1885: Businessman Tom Ashford married Susie Swoope.

Retirements

• 2015: Vulcan Materials non-executive chair Donald James retired.
• 2014: Special Agent in Charge Richard Schwein retired from the FBI Birmingham Field Office.
• 2014: UAB Graduate School dean Bryan Noe retired.
• 2014: Hoover City Schools superintendent Andy Craig resigned to become an administrator for the Alabama Department of Education.
• 1977: Duard Le Grand retired as editor of the Birmingham Post-Herald.

Deaths

• 2022: Retired educator and Fairfield Board of Education member Donna Mitchell died.
• 2020: Former Birmingham News reporter and photographer Tom Lankford died from COVID-19 in Gadsden.
• 2018: Stage director Jack Mann died.
• 2015: Actor Wayne Rogers died in Los Angeles.
• 1969: Genealogist and gardener Nouna Chenoweth died.
• 1926: Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Alabama endowment secretary A. A. Peters died in his office.
• 1921: 5 miners were killed in the 1921 Docena Mine explosion.

Sports

• 2016: The 2016 Alabama Crimson Tide football team defeated the Washington Huskies 24-7 in the Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, thereby advancing to the College Football Playoff National Championship game.
• 2015: The 2015 Alabama Crimson Tide football team defeated the Michigan State Spartans 38-10 in the College Football Playoff semi-final at Arlington, Texas.
• 1981: Mississippi State defeated Kansas 10-0 at the 1981 Hall of Fame Bowl.