On this Day... November 25

CEBU, Philippines – In 1881, the much-loved Pope John XXIII was born in Sotto il Monte in Northern Italy, fourth son of a family of 14. A sickly child, Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli just scraped into the local seminary. But once ordained, he had a brilliant career, becoming a bishop, apostolic vicar to Bulgaria, papal nuncio in France, and patriarch of Venice. He became pope in 1958, and in his own way was quite a revolutionary. He was very approachable, forbade people to kneel when they came before him, and brought a touch of humor to the Holy See. When asked how many people worked in the Vatican, he reflected a moment and replied, "About half!"

• In 1952, the longest-running show in the world opened at London's "Ambassador's" and celebrated its silver jubilee with the 10,391st performance at the St. Martin's Theatre. When "The Mousetrap" by Agatha Christie first opened, producer Peter Saunders thought it would last "a year - or longer." By its 25th anniversary it had been seen by over four million people, 142 actors had played in it, and it had outlived its creator by more than three years. In 1956 Romulus Films bought the film rights, on condition that no film be released until six months after the show had closed in London. They're still waiting!

- from Today's the Day! By Jeremy Beadle

In Christian history

• In 2348 B.C., according to the reckoning of Irish James Ussher, the "Great Deluge" (Noah's flood) began on this date. Ussher's "Chronology of the Old and New Testaments" is the source of the dates inserted in the margins of many editions of the King James Version of the Bible.

- from This Day in Christian History

By William D. Blake

In the Philippines

• In 1910, Insular Life Assurance Company, the first Filipino insurance firm, was established along Echague Street in Quiapo, Manila by Leon Mooser and Antonio Ma. Barreto. At present, Insular Life is one of the largest Filipino life insurance companies. The company also has the longest unbroken service record among life insurance firms in the country.

- www.kahimyang.info

In Cebu

• Fiesta of Carcar, Cebu

• In 1898, Luis Flores, head of the revolutionary forces in Cebu, delegated to Emilio Verdaflor, commander of Cebu's western Sector, the duty of organizing revolutionary governments in the province in accordance with Aguinaldo's decree of June 18, 1898.

• In 1930, Pantaleon del Rosario died. He was a Cebu revolutionary leader and prominent pre-war lawyer.

- from Cebuano Studies Center,

University of San Carlos