On September 21, 1792, the National Convention of France made a monumental declaration by abolishing the French monarchy, signaling the start of a new era in the nation’s history and a dramatic shift toward republicanism.
Also on this date:
– In 1898, the New York Sun responded to a letter from eight-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon with a now-famous editorial, including the timeless line, “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.” This heartwarming message remains one of the most quoted pieces of journalism in history, offering hope and wonder to generations of readers.
– In 1915, Cecil Chubb purchased Stonehenge for £6,600, becoming the last private owner of the ancient site. Three years later, in a selfless gesture of national pride, Chubb gifted Stonehenge to the British people, preserving its legacy for the public.
– In 1922, President Warren G. Harding signed the Lodge-Fish Resolution, marking a pivotal moment in international politics by endorsing the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine, a precursor to the creation of the State of Israel decades later.
– On this day in 1937, J.R.R. Tolkien’s *The Hobbit* was published by George Allen & Unwin in London. The book, which introduced readers to Middle-earth, would become one of the most influential works of fantasy literature, setting the stage for Tolkien’s epic *The Lord of the Rings*.
– In 1938, a devastating hurricane struck New York and New England, causing widespread destruction and claiming nearly 700 lives. Known as the Great New England Hurricane, it remains one of the deadliest natural disasters in the region’s history.
– In 1939, Romanian Prime Minister Armand Călinescu was assassinated by the fascist Iron Guard, a brutal act that sent shockwaves through Europe at the height of political tension in the lead-up to World War II.
– On September 21, 1955, boxer Rocky Marciano ended his professional career undefeated, knocking out Archie Moore in the ninth round at Yankee Stadium. Marciano’s record remains legendary in the world of sports.
– In 1970, the iconic American sports show *Monday Night Football* debuted on ABC. In its first game, the Cleveland Browns triumphed over the New York Jets, 31-21, marking the beginning of a new era in televised sports entertainment.
– In 1981, Sandra Day O’Connor made history when she was unanimously confirmed by the Senate as the first female justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Her appointment was a watershed moment in the ongoing fight for gender equality in America’s legal system.
– On this day in 1989, Hurricane Hugo slammed into South Carolina after wreaking havoc in the Caribbean, ultimately claiming 85 lives. The storm’s ferocity caused extensive damage, with wind speeds reaching up to 140 mph.
– In 2013, a brutal attack by armed militants at the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya left 67 people dead and hundreds more injured. The incident remains one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in Kenya’s history.
– And in 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the mobilization of reservists for the first time since World War II, intensifying Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine. This marked a critical escalation in the war, with global repercussions.
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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