On December 21, 1988, a devastating terrorist attack claimed the lives of 270 people when a Pan Am Boeing 747 exploded mid-air over Lockerbie, Scotland. The wreckage rained down on the small town, killing some of the people on the ground, and setting off international investigations. This tragedy was the deadliest terror attack in the UK. Libya eventually took responsibility, however the case is still ongoning.
Also on this date:
1864 – During the American Civil War, Union General William T. Sherman completed his infamous March to the Sea by capturing Savannah, Georgia. This victory dealt a significant blow to the Confederacy, demonstrating the effectiveness of Sherman’s scorched-earth tactics and hastening the war’s end.
1891 – The first-ever basketball game, invented by James Naismith, was played at the International YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts. Using a soccer ball and a peach basket, players navigated a rudimentary set of rules to score points. This game, born out of a need for an indoor winter activity, evolved into a global phenomenon and one of the most popular sports in history.
1913 – The New York World published the first newspaper crossword puzzle, originally called a “Word-Cross Puzzle.” This innovation captivated readers and launched a puzzle craze that persists to this day.
1991 – In the aftermath of the Soviet Union’s dissolution, 11 of its former republics came together to form the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). This alliance aimed to manage the transition from a centralized Soviet system to independent governance, marking a pivotal moment in post-Cold War geopolitics.
Today in History: December 20
A Look Back At Today, December 20
The Louisiana Purchase was completed.
“It’s a Wonderful Life” premiered at the Globe Theater.
The United States launched Operation Just Cause.
The United States Space Force was established.
Today in History: December 19
Today in History: December 19
In 1777, General George Washington led an army of more than 12,000 soldiers to Valley Forge.
In 1972, Apollo 17 splashed down in the Pacific, concluding the Apollo program.
In 2011, North Korean announced the death of Kim Jong Il and proclaimed Kim Jong Un as the leader.
In 2022, the House Jan. 6 Committee urged the Justice Department to bring criminal charges against the previous president
Today in History: December 18
Today in History: December 18
In 1865, the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, abolishing slavery, was proclaimed in effect.
In 1892, Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s ballet “The Nutcracker” publicly premiered in St. Petersburg, Russia; although now considered a classic, it received a generally negative reception from critics.
In 1957, the Shippingport Atomic Power Station in Pennsylvania, the first nuclear facility to generate electricity in the United States, went on line. (It was taken out of service in 1982.)
In 2011, the last convoy of heavily armored U.S. troops left Iraq, crossing into Kuwait in darkness in the final moments of a nearly nine-year war.
Today in History: December 17
Today in History: December 17
In 1903 The Wright brothers’ flight redefined the possibilities of travel and opened the skies to human exploration.
In 1933 The first NFL championship laid the foundation for professional football’s evolution into a national pastime.
In 1989 “The Simpsons” redefined animated television, blending humor with social commentary to leave an indelible mark on entertainment.
In 1992 NAFTA reshaped North American trade, fostering economic ties while sparking debates on globalization.
In 2014 The U.S.-Cuba rapprochement signaled a pivotal moment in the post-Cold War world, rekindling hopes for reconciliation.
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