1980 – Tragedy at the MGM Grand Hotel
On this day in 1980, a devastating fire at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, claimed the lives of 85 people, most succumbing to smoke inhalation. The disaster, one of the worst in U.S. hotel history, led to sweeping changes in fire safety standards for hotels and public buildings nationwide.
1920 – “Bloody Sunday” in Ireland
On November 21, 1920, during Ireland’s fight for independence, the Irish Republican Army (IRA) killed 14 suspected British intelligence officers in Dublin. In retaliation, British forces opened fire at a soccer match, killing 14 civilians. This brutal day marked a turning point in the Irish War of Independence, intensifying global awareness of the conflict.
1980 – “Who Shot J.R.?”
On this same day in 1980, an estimated 83 million Americans tuned into the hit TV series Dallas to finally uncover the answer to the burning question: “Who shot J.R.?” This iconic cliffhanger captured the public imagination and remains one of television’s most-watched episodes. It also highlighted the growing influence of television as a dominant cultural force in the 1980s.
1985 – Arrest of Jonathan Pollard
In 1985, U.S. Navy intelligence analyst Jonathan Jay Pollard was arrested for spying for Israel. His case strained U.S.-Israel relations for years, as Pollard’s actions highlighted the vulnerabilities in national security and led to debates over loyalty and espionage within allied nations.
1995 – Dayton Accords Initialed
On this date in 1995, Balkan leaders meeting in Dayton, Ohio, initialed a landmark peace agreement to end 3 ½ years of brutal ethnic conflict in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Dayton Accords not only halted one of the deadliest wars in Europe since World War II but also became a model for U.S.-led diplomacy in resolving complex international disputes.
2017 – Robert Mugabe Resigns
In 2017, Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe’s 93-year-old president, stepped down after facing impeachment proceedings and military house arrest. His resignation ended nearly four decades of authoritarian rule and marked a pivotal moment for Zimbabwe as the nation grappled with its political and economic future.
2022 – NASA’s Orion Capsule Reaches the Moon
Finally, on this day in 2022, NASA’s Orion capsule made history by reaching the moon, buzzing its surface on its way to a record-breaking orbit. This was the first time an American spacecraft had returned to the moon since the Apollo program 50 years earlier, marking a bold step in NASA’s Artemis program aimed at returning humans to the lunar surface.
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.
  | Better Yourself, Lead Others 
| Personal Development Life Coach Certification 
|  
|
