1898: The Spanish-American War Ends With Treaty Of Paris
On December 10, 1898, the Treaty of Paris was signed, officially ending the Spanish-American War. As a result, the United States gained significant territories, including Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, while also solidifying its influence in Cuba. This marked the emergence of the United States as a global power, transforming its foreign policy and global reach. Notably, this war underscored the transition from a largely isolationist stance to one of imperial ambition and set the stage for America’s role in the 20th century.
1906: Theodore Roosevelt Wins Nobel Peace Prize
On this day in 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt became the first American to win a Nobel Prize, receiving the Nobel Peace Prize for mediating the Treaty of Portsmouth, which ended the Russo-Japanese War. This achievement highlighted the growing role of the U.S. as a mediator in international conflicts and enhanced Roosevelt’s reputation as a leader committed to global diplomacy.
1964: Martin Luther King Jr.’s Nobel Peace Prize
On December 10, 1964, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway. He expressed his “abiding faith in America and an audacious faith in the future of mankind.” At 35, King was the youngest laureate at the time and was recognized for his leadership in the civil rights movement. His award symbolized global recognition of the fight for racial equality and justice in America, further inspiring civil rights activists worldwide.
1994: Nobel Peace Prize for Middle East Peace Efforts
In 1994, Yasser Arafat, Shimon Peres, and Yitzhak Rabin were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their roles in the Oslo Accords, an attempt to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While the accords initially fostered hope for peace in the Middle East, long-standing tensions and unresolved issues have since led to continued conflict. This event remains a poignant reminder of the challenges inherent in brokering lasting peace in deeply divided regions.
2007: Al Gore’s Climate Call to Action
On December 10, 2007, former U.S. Vice President Al Gore received the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to combat climate change, sharing the award with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Gore’s acceptance speech emphasized the urgent need for humanity to address the global environmental crisis, advocating for sustainable practices and international cooperation. This recognition underscored the increasing prominence of environmental issues on the global agenda.
2022: Morocco’s World Cup Breakthrough
On this day in 2022, Morocco made history by defeating Portugal 1-0 to become the first African nation to reach the World Cup semifinals. The victory symbolized a milestone for African football, showcasing the continent’s growing prowess in the sport and inspiring a wave of pride across Africa and the Arab world. Morocco’s achievement was a testament to resilience and determination on the global stage.
Did You Know President Theodore Roosevelt Was The First American To Receive A Nobel Prize?
It’s actually a fascinating story, relevant to today when you think about the United States’s role in the world. Think about it; The U.S. spent its first hundred twenty years or so finding its footing, expanding, defining itself, establishing itself as a player in a world dominated by empires and monarchies. Then, in 1898, there is the Spanish American war, the U.S. defeats the Spanish Empire, and suddenly the U.S. begins to look like an empire itself, with lots of territorial holdings in the South Pacific and in the Caribbean Sea
Anyway, with the 1898 Treaty of Paris ending the Spanish-American War with the Spanish empire destroyed, and the likes of Teddy and the Rough Riders the new heroes, the United States established itself as a world leader.
Fast forward a few years to 1906, when Teddy was president. Much as he loved to go off to a national park to get away, Teddy had a country to run, and he took running the country pretty seriously. He instinctively knew that if the U.S. was going to remain a world power, he was going to have to acknowledge that the world was all connected, and it was up to the U.S. to work on those connections to make the whole world a friendly place for America. Russia and Japan had a war going on, and it was de-stabilizing a whole region of the world that the U.S. would prefer to be peaceful.
Eventually the war ended with a winner: Japan, of all countries. It was the first time that an eastern power had defeated a major western power. Teddy Roosevelt admired that in the Japanese. However if there was to be peace, Roosevelt would have to get Japan to allow Russia to save face somehow, while at the same time giving Japan its due rewards. So Roosevelt orchestrated the peace deal brilliantly (aboard a yacht, I think). Russia’s satisfied. Japan’s satisfied. And America has shown the world it really is a world power. Win, win, win. And Teddy Roosevelt gets a Nobel Peace Prize, so that is four wins.
Now compare all that to what we have today, and contrast it with what we’re bound to have tomorrow. President Biden has been a brilliant strategist, effective at working with many different countries to achieve a lot of wins. Wins for the others and wins for the U.S. In one term, President Biden has gotten the U.S. to recover much of the reputation it lost in the previous administration, and regained the U.S. status as a world leader.
On the other hand, everybody is trying to prepare for whatever disaster may be coming along with the next administration. Teddy Roosevelt governed with a very positive outlook, saying “Bully!” when he really liked what someone was doing. The coming administration is headed by an actual bully, who throws tantrums and uses anger, deception, distortions, and lies to get people to do things for him. With the vast majority of world leaders despising the U.S. president elect, it is hard to see the United States’s status as a world leader not falling rapidly.
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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