George Frederick Handel (1685 to 1795)
Church of England
Composer of Christmas Choral Masterpiece
Birth of George Frederick Handel, composer of the famed oratorio, Messiah. Probably more people have joined in singing this masterwork at Christmas than any other piece of concert music. The benefit concerts he gave with it helped many a struggling musician.
John Heyl Vincent (1832 to 1920)
Bent on Training Sunday School Teachers
Birth of John Vincent, publisher of the first Sunday School material. In 1872 he began the Uniform Sunday School Lessons; two years later he organized the Chautauqua Assembly for the sole purpose of training Sunday School Teachers. It soon lost that goal; and is now completely secularized.