On October 22, 1962, President John F. Kennedy addressed the American public, exposing the existence of Soviet missile bases under construction in Cuba. This revelation marked the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis, a 13-day confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union that brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. Kennedy’s decision to impose a naval blockade was a decisive moment in Cold War history, demonstrating the precarious balance of power and the importance of diplomacy in preventing global catastrophe.
On this same day in history:
1836: Sam Houston was sworn in as the first constitutionally elected president of the Republic of Texas. Houston’s leadership played a crucial role in securing Texas’ independence from Mexico and later its annexation into the United States in 1845. His presidency laid the foundation for Texas’ future as a pivotal state in U.S. history.
1928: Herbert Hoover, the Republican nominee for president, delivered a speech in New York’s Madison Square Garden promoting the “American system of rugged individualism.” This philosophy, emphasizing personal responsibility and limited government intervention in the economy, became a central theme in American political thought. However, the onset of the Great Depression shortly after Hoover’s election would challenge this ideology, as millions of Americans struggled with unemployment and poverty.
1934: Notorious bank robber Charles “Pretty Boy” Floyd was killed by federal agents and local police near East Liverpool, Ohio. Floyd had gained national infamy during the Great Depression as a symbol of rebellion against the banks, which many Americans blamed for their financial woes. His death signaled the government’s increasing efforts to crack down on organized crime and lawlessness during the 1930s.
1968: Apollo 7 safely returned from orbit, splashing down in the Atlantic Ocean. This was the first manned mission of NASA’s Apollo program and a critical step toward achieving the goal of landing humans on the Moon. The mission demonstrated the spacecraft’s ability to function in space, paving the way for the historic Apollo 11 Moon landing in 1969.
1995: World leaders gathered in unprecedented numbers to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the United Nations. This gathering underscored the UN’s enduring role as a platform for international cooperation, diplomacy, and peacekeeping efforts, especially in the post-Cold War era. The event highlighted the institution’s influence on global governance and conflict resolution.
2012: Lance Armstrong was formally stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and banned from Olympic sports for life after doping charges brought by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency were upheld. Armstrong’s fall from grace served as a stark reminder of the consequences of performance-enhancing drug use in professional sports and ignited broader discussions about ethics and integrity in athletics.
2014: A gunman fatally shot a soldier at the National War Memorial in Ottawa before storming Canada’s Parliament building, where he was killed by security personnel. This act of terrorism shocked the nation and raised concerns about security and extremism in Canada. It also led to significant changes in the country’s counter-terrorism policies.
2016: The Chicago Cubs won their first National League pennant in over seven decades by defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 6 of the Championship Series. This victory broke the Cubs’ 71-year-long pennant drought, setting the stage for their historic World Series win against Cleveland, which ended the team’s 108-year championship drought. This victory was celebrated as one of the most remarkable turnarounds in sports history.
Today in History: December 27
A Look Back At Today: December 27
Charles Darwin set sail on the ship HMS Beagle
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was assassinated
“Peter Pan” opened in London.
Radio City Music Hall opened in New York
The International Monetary Fund was formally established
Soviet forces seized control of Afghanistan
American naturalist Dian Fossey was murdered
Today in History: December 26
A Look Back At Today: December 26
The tsunami of 2004 devastates southeast Asia
Winston Churchill spoke to the U.S. Congress
First celebration of Kwanzaa
The Soviet Union was dissolved
Today in History: December 25
A Look Back At Today: December 25
Washington crossed the Delaware
William the Conqueror was crowned King of England
President Andrew Johnson granted unconditional pardons to every person who supported the Confederacy
Hirohito became emperor of Japan
Today in History: December 24
A Look Back At Today: December 24
During WWI Impromptu Christmas Truces Pop Up Along Western Front
Devastating fire at the Library of Congress
The Ku Klux Klan is born
Queen Elizabeth granted a posthumous pardon to Alan Turing