On this day in recent history, there are two reminders why Donald Trump should never be president of the United States. In 2016, just weeks before Election Day, Hollywood Access Tapes were released to the public, who would hear Donald Trump bragging about his sexual exploits and encouraging sexual assault. Some Republican leaders supposedly made an effort to get Trump to drop out of the race, but with only weeks before election day, there was no likelihood of that. This incident would foreshadow the utter depravity that Donald Trump brought to the White House when he became president.
In 2020, again just weeks before Election Day, encouraged by President Trump’s lies and rhetoric, two militia groups plotted to kidnap, and possibly kill Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Four years later, Donald Trump’s threats against political opponents have gotten worse, highlighting why neither Trump nor any of his supporters should be given a platform from which to speak and/or act.
On October 8, 2020, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer addressed the public after law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, uncovered a plot to kidnap her. Thirteen members of two militia groups were charged, as the conspirators had been preparing for violence. This chilling incident was linked to extremist rhetoric, fueled by political polarization in the U.S. at the time, particularly around the presidency of Donald Trump. The failed plot underscored the growing threat of domestic terrorism and the dangers of radicalization in the modern political climate.
Also on this date:
In 1871, the Great Chicago Fire began, ravaging the city for three days. Over 300 people lost their lives, and more than 17,000 buildings were destroyed, leaving much of the city in ruins. While the exact cause remains uncertain, the fire reshaped Chicago’s urban landscape and led to the establishment of new fire codes and the rapid rebuilding of the city, which became a pioneer in modern architecture.
In 1956, Don Larsen of the New York Yankees made baseball history by pitching the only perfect game in a World Series. His flawless performance led the Yankees to a 2-0 victory over the Brooklyn Dodgers in Game 5. This achievement is still regarded as one of the greatest moments in baseball, and Larsen’s feat remains unmatched in World Series history to this day.
In 1997, scientists working with the Mars Pathfinder mission reported potential evidence that Mars may once have been capable of supporting life. The data collected suggested that the planet had once been home to water, a critical factor for the possibility of life. This discovery fueled ongoing research and exploration into the Red Planet’s history, laying the groundwork for future missions aimed at uncovering Mars’ past.
In 2002, a federal judge granted President George W. Bush’s request to reopen West Coast ports after a 10-day labor lockout that had brought shipping to a halt. The closure was costing the U.S. economy up to $2 billion per day, affecting global supply chains. The judge’s decision to intervene underscored the importance of the shipping industry to the American economy, especially as the country faced increasing globalization.
In 2005, a catastrophic 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck the border region between Pakistan and India, killing an estimated 86,000 people. The disaster caused widespread devastation, particularly in Pakistan’s Kashmir region, and prompted a massive international relief effort. The earthquake highlighted the region’s vulnerability to seismic activity and emphasized the need for better disaster preparedness.
In 2016, Donald Trump defied calls from many Republican leaders to step down from the presidential race after a 2005 video surfaced in which he made lewd comments about women. Despite the controversy, Trump remained in the race and ultimately won the presidency. This moment highlighted the growing rift within the Republican Party and the resilience of Trump’s political base amid numerous scandals.
In 2022, an explosion damaged a key bridge connecting the Crimean Peninsula with Russia, causing a partial collapse. The bridge, which served as a crucial supply route for Russian forces during the war in Ukraine, became a symbol of both strategic importance and vulnerability for the Kremlin’s military operations. The attack intensified the conflict, as the bridge was seen as a vital link for transporting supplies to Russian-occupied territories.
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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