#ThrowbackThursday – 19 December
It’s 19 December, and that means it’s time for another edition of Throwback Thursday! Today, we’re taking a look back at three prominent events that went down on this day in history:
1843 – From “Bah, Humbug!” to “Hurrah, Says I”
On this day 181 years ago, British author Charles Dickens published one of his most famous stories: “A Christmas Carol.”
It tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly old man known for his disdain for Christmas, his obsession with wealth, and his tendency to mutter “Bah, humbug!” when it comes to the most wonderful time of the year.
On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, who warns him of the consequences of his greedy and selfish ways. Marley informs Scrooge that he will be visited by three spirits over the course of the night; following his eye-opening experience with these spirits, Scrooge changes his ways and becomes a kinder, more generous person.
Addressing the social challenges of Dickens’ era – particularly the struggles faced by the poor and their children – “A Christmas Carol” was published by Chapman & Hall on 19 December 1843. The initial print run of 6 000 copies sold out by Christmas Eve. By 2 January 1844, a second edition of 3 000 copies was made available.
“Hurrah, say I,” wrote Dickens of the novella’s success.
1922 – Big Love
Most people can barely maintain one marriage; some are lucky enough to ever find their lifelong partner. For Theresa Vaughn, she had over 60 marriages to her name!
On 19 December 1922, Vaughn faced trial for bigamy in England. Over the course of five years, the 24-year-old woman had amassed 61 husbands (or 62, as other publications claim) across 50 cities in England, Germany and South Africa. This works out to an average of one marriage per month!
According to reports, Vaughn – who claimed that she had never divorced any of her previous spouses – was sentenced to 18 months in prison. However, she was released after serving 12 months, after which she faded from public view.
At the time, Vaughn’s case generated considerable media attention. Her story, dubbed the “Serial Bigamist”, was covered by the media worldwide. Her situation also sparked discussions about the legal definitions of bigamy and the rights of women in the early 20th century.
1983 – From Trophy to Stolen Trinket
One of the most notorious incidents in football history occurred on 19 December 1983 when the Jules Rimet trophy was stolen from the Brazilian Football Confederation’s headquarters in Rio de Janeiro.
At that time, Brazil was basking in the glory of being the reigning FIFA World Cup champions, the only team at that point to have g triumphed in the tournament three times.
The theft sent shockwaves through the football community, as the prestigious trophy had immense historical significance. Despite extensive investigations, the trophy was never recovered and is widely believed to have been melted down into gold bars.
This brazen act of theft not only highlighted the vulnerabilities surrounding iconic sports awards, but also prompted FIFA to respond decisively. In the aftermath, the organisation decided to design a new trophy, which continues to be presented to World Cup winners, marking a new chapter in the tournament’s storied legacy.
