Harriet Tubman escaped from slavery in Maryland on December 6th, 1849, and then helped other slaves to freedom through the network known as the “Underground Railroad.”  It was on Tubman’s birthday in 1865 when the 13th Amendment to the Constitution was adopted, banning slavery in the U.S.

The 25th Amendment was used to choose a vice president for the first time on December 6th, 1973, when the House confirmed Congressman Gerald Ford as VP.  Ford was sworn in the same day, nearly two months after former VP Spiro Agnew resigned.

Jerry Ford was a college football star long before joining Congress in 1949.  Jerry Rice of the 49ers set a pro football record on this date in 1992, catching the 101st touchdown of his NFL career.  Rice needed only eight seasons to break the old record.

Rapper Chuck D mentioned Jerry Rice in the lyrics of his 1996 recording “Underdog.”  Wally Cox, who spoke in rhyme as the animated super-hero Underdog, was born on December 6th, 1924.  Cox also played schoolteacher “Mr. Peepers,” and was a regular panelist on “Hollywood Squares.”

And underdogs are featured frequently in the work of Judd Apatow, born December 6th, 1967.  Apatow has produced, directed, and/or written “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” “Knocked Up,” “Bridesmaids,” “Anchorman,” and the TV series “Freaks and Geeks.”