On October 4, 1927, sculptor Gutzon Borglum began construction on one of the most iconic monuments in U.S. history—Mount Rushmore. This ambitious project, carved into the Black Hills of South Dakota, features the towering faces of four U.S. presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. It took 14 years to complete and remains a symbol of American leadership and vision.
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In 1777, General George Washington’s troops launched a daring assault on British forces at Germantown, Pennsylvania, during the American Revolutionary War. Despite initial success, the dense fog and miscommunication among American forces led to heavy casualties. This battle was part of Washington’s ongoing efforts to challenge British control of Philadelphia, the revolutionary capital.
In 1957, the Space Age officially began as the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the world’s first artificial satellite, into orbit. Weighing about 184 pounds, Sputnik 1 circled the Earth every 96 minutes and sent radio pulses that could be detected by scientists worldwide. This event ignited the space race between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, forever changing the course of technological development.
In 1965, Pope Paul VI made history by becoming the first pontiff to visit the Western Hemisphere. Addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York, he called for world peace amid Cold War tensions. His visit marked a turning point in the relationship between the Catholic Church and the modern world, emphasizing the Church’s role in advocating for global harmony.
In 1970, rock legend Janis Joplin was found dead in her Hollywood hotel room at the age of 27, a tragic end to her short but influential career. Known for her powerful voice and raw emotion, Joplin was a central figure in the counterculture movement of the 1960s. Her death, likely due to a heroin overdose, has contributed to the mythos of the “27 Club,” a group of iconic musicians who died at that young age.
In 2001, tragedy struck when a Russian airliner flying from Israel to Siberia was accidentally shot down by a Ukrainian antiaircraft missile over the Black Sea, killing all 78 people aboard. Investigations later revealed that the missile was part of a Ukrainian military exercise gone wrong. This incident worsened tensions between Russia and Ukraine, and remains a painful memory for the families affected.
In 2002, John Walker Lindh, known as the “American Taliban,” received a 20year sentence after pleading guilty to supporting the Taliban. In a dramatic courtroom moment, Lindh tearfully asked for forgiveness before the judge. His capture in Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks had shocked the U.S., and his trial highlighted the complexities of international terrorism and loyalty. He was released from prison in 2019 after serving 17 years.
In 2004, the SpaceShipOne rocket plane made its second successful trip to the edge of space within five days, capturing the $10 million Ansari X Prize. This event marked a significant milestone in private space exploration, demonstrating that space travel was not limited to government agencies like NASA. It was a key moment in the commercialization of space, paving the way for future space tourism.
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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