Here are highlights in history for Dec. 19, gleaned from the files of the Albert Lea Tribune:

1987 — Owen “Big Island” Johnson died the previous day at St. John’s Lutheran Home. He is credited with the founding of what’s now Myre-Big Island State Park.

1977 — The Pako Film Shop in Albert Lea’s Skyline Mall was one of 55 shops in the Upper Midwest.

1947 — Rehearsals for the third annual Tiger’s Roar at Albert Lea High School had started. This was a student sponsored talent show.