On This Day In History
December 24th
1565 Compromise of the Nobles in Habsburg Netherlands closes against inquisition
1814 Treaty of Ghent signed, ending the War of 1812 between the United States, the United Kingdom and their allies
1936 1st radioactive isotope medicine administered in Berkeley, California
1943 US President FDR appoints General Eisenhower Supreme Commander of the Allied forces
Did You Know?
Christmas carol “Silent Night” composed by Franz Xaver Gruber is first sung at St Nicholas parish church in Oberndorf, Austria
Today in History in 1818
Would You Believe?
Private companies allowed to use the word “postcard” in the US. Previously they were labelled “Private Mailing Cards” and known as “souvenir cards”.
Today in History in 1901
December 25th
1 1st Christmas, according to calendar-maker Dionysus Exiguus
800 Pope Leo III crowns Charles the Great (Charlemagne), Roman Emperor
1066 William the Conqueror is crowned King of England at Westminster Abbey, completing the Norman conquest of England
1741 Astronomer Anders Celsius introduces Centigrade temperature scale
1868 Despite bitter opposition, US President Andrew Johnson grants unconditional pardon to all persons involved in Southern rebellion (Civil War)
1991 Mikhail Gorbachev formally resigns as President of USSR in a televised speech
Did You Know?
Legendary “Christmas Truce” takes place on the battlefields of WWI between British and German troops. Instead of fighting, soldiers exchange gifts and play football
Today in History in 1914
Would You Believe?
Japanese scientist achieve -271.8°C, coldest temperature ever recorded
Today in History in 1989
December 26th
1492 1st Spanish settlement La Navidad in the New World is founded by Christopher Columbus (modern Môle-Saint-Nicolas in Haiti)
1620 Mayflower Pilgrims come ashore in Plymouth Bay, traditionally thought to be at Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts [OS: Dec 16]
1792 Trial of French King Louis XVI, court hears the kings defense brought by Raymond Desèze
1825 Decembrist uprising in Russia against Tsar Nicholas I begins [O.S. 14 December]
2004 9.3 magnitude earthquake creates a tsunami causing devastation in Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Maldives and edges of the Indian Ocean, killing 230,000 people
Did You Know?
Horror film “The Exorcist” based on book and screenplay by William Peter Blatty, starring Linda Blair, rated X, premieres – 1st horror film to be nominated for Best Picture
Today in History in 1973
Would You Believe?
TIME’s Man of the Year is a computer
Today in History in 1982
December 27th
1512 Spanish Crown issues the Laws of Burgos, governing the conduct of settlers with regards to native Indians in the New World
1657 “Flushing Remonstrance” petition signed in the Dutch colony of New Netherland, protesting the ban on Quaker worship
1939 Between 20,000 and 40,000 die in magnitude 8 earthquake in Erzincam, Turkey
1945 International Monetary Fund formally established by 29 member countries based on ideas of Harry Dexter White and John Maynard Keynes
1949 Queen Juliana of the Netherlands grants independence to Indonesia
1979 After invading Afghanistan two days earlier Soviet forces pull off a coup in Kabul, killing President Hafizullah Amin
Did You Know?
Ether 1st used in childbirth in US in Jefferson, Georgia
Today in History in 1845
Would You Believe?
NASA unveils plans to capture a 500 ton asteroid in 2025
Today in History in 2012
December 28th
1065 New church devoted to St Peter the Apostle built by Edward the Confessor – later called the ‘west minister’ consecrated in London (rebuilt mid 13th century) [1]
1612 First observation of Neptune – Galileo observes and records a “fixed star” without realising it is a planet
1767 King Taksin crowned King of Thailand and establishes Thonburi as his capital
1836 Spain recognizes the independence of Mexico
1860 Harriet Tubman arrives in Auburn, New York, on her last mission to free slaves, having evaded capture for 8 years on the Underground Railroad
1908 Earthquake strikes Messina in Italy, killing nearly 80,000
1943 All Kalmyk inhabitants of the Republic of Kalmukkie deported by the Soviet Union to Central Asia and Siberia. Many die en route.
Did You Know?
Detroit Lions crash to a 31-21 loss to Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field; first team in NFL history to go winless in a 16-game season
Today in History in 2008
Would You Believe?
M Jolly-Bellin discovers dry-cleaning, he accidentally upset lamp containing turpentine & oil on his clothing & sees cleaning effect
Today in History in 1849
December 29th
1835 Treaty of New Echota is signed between the US government and representatives of a minority Cherokee political faction to cede all lands of the Cherokee east of the Mississippi River to the United States
1845 Texas admitted as 28th state of the Union
1903 French Equatorial Africa separates into Gabon, Chad and Ubangi-Shari
1911 Sun Yat-sen elected 1st President of the Republic of China
1997 Hong Kong begins slaughtering all its chickens to prevent bird flu
Did You Know?
The first British seagoing iron-clad warship, HMS Warrior is launched
Today in History in 1860
Would You Believe?
Emma Snodgrass arrested in Boston for wearing pants
Today in History in 1852
BREAKING: Jimmy Carter has died at 100. The 39th president of the United States, who served from 1977 to 1981, was perhaps more famous for the life he led after leaving office — as an advocate for peace and human rights. Read about his lasting legacy.