Dear Readers: What a year this has been! The Bushes and "first dog" Millie moved out of the White House. The Clintons and "first cat" Socks moved in.
Thurgood Marshall, the first black to be appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court, died at 84. Don Drysdale, famed Dodger pitcher, died at 55, and Roy Campanella, Hall of Fame Dodger catcher, died at 71.Tobacco heiress Doris Duke died, leaving a cool billion to charity - no heirs. At 63, actress Audrey Hepburn had her last breakfast at Tiffany's. Marian Anderson, first black to sing at the Lincoln Memorial, after having been spurned by the D.A.R., died at 96. Former first lady Pat Nixon died at 81. All the former presidents and their wives attended her funeral.
Arthur Ashe, internationally famed tennis champ, died at 49. He contracted AIDS following bypass surgery in which contaminated blood was used. He left a wife and daughter.
Rudolf Nureyev, the Russian ballet star who defected to the West, died at 55. Handsome singer Billy Eckstine died at 78. Ruby Keeler, one-time wife of Al Jolson (star of "The Jazz Singer" - the first "talkie"), died at 83. Star of silent films Lillian Gish (ask your grandmother) died at 99. Oscar-winning lyricist Sammy Cahn died at 79, and Helen Hayes, first lady of American theater, made her last curtain call at 92. Myrna Loy, once heralded as "queen of American movies," died at 88.
Dr. Albert Sabin, who developed the oral polio vaccine in 1961, died at 86. John B. Connally, former Texas governor who was wounded by a bullet intended for President Kennedy, died at 76.
Janet Reno became the nation's first female attorney general; Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg was appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court. (Thank you, Bill Clinton!)
Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan wed former career diplomat Masako Owada in a private ceremony in Tokyo. Her beaded gown weighed 35 pounds.
The World Trade Center in New York was bombed, forcing the evacuation of the 110-story twin towers. Six died; thousands were injured.
More passings: actor Vincent Price, age 82; Raymond Burr, TV's Perry Mason, at 76. Actor-director Bill Bixby, 59, and Frank Zappa, 52, both of prostate cancer. Veteran actor Don Ameche, 85, and singer Helen O'Connell (favorite of World War II GIs) died at 73.
Jean Harris, a woman scorned, was released from prison after serving 12 years for the shooting death of Scarsdale Diet doctor Herman Tarnower.
H.R. Haldeman, who served 18 months in federal prison for his role in the Watergate scandal, died at 67.
Oregon's Sen. Bob Packwood may (or may not) go packing after being charged with sexual harassment by several female office employees. Also in deep doo-doo: Singer-dancer Michael Jackson faces child molestation charges by a 13-year-old boy. "Merely being accused has already cost Jackson his lucrative endorsement contract" with Pepsi, says the New York Times.
A biography of G-man J. Edgar Hoover detailed allegations of homosexuality and cross-dressing. He headed the FBI for 48 years, until his death in 1972.
Prince Charles and Princess Diana are living apart. Sad ending to a storybook romance.
Donald Trump and longtime girlfriend Marla Maples announced the birth of their daughter, Tiffany, and their marriage.
Perennially young actress Loretta Young married Jean Louis, famed designer, after a 45-year friendship.
Farewell to 1993 - pray for world peace and good health for President Clinton and Vice President Gore.
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1993 Universal Press Syndicate