1985: On this day, the elusive wreckage of the Titanic was finally discovered, resting on the ocean floor,
some 400 miles off Newfoundland’s coast. This U.S.French expedition brought closure to one of the most tragic maritime disasters in history.
1715: In France, the end of an era arrived as King Louis XIV passed away just days before his 77th birthday. His 72year reign was one of the longest in European history, and he was succeeded by his greatgrandson, the fiveyearold Louis XV, setting the stage for a new chapter in the French monarchy.
1897: A milestone in urban transportation was achieved as Boston opened the first section of its subway, introducing North America to the wonders of underground rapid transit—a system that would revolutionize city life.
1914: The world bid a sorrowful farewell to the passenger pigeon, a species once so numerous that its flocks darkened the skies. Martha, the last of her kind, died in captivity at the Cincinnati Zoo, marking the tragic extinction of this onceabundant bird.
1923: A devastating earthquake struck Japan, leveling the cities of Tokyo and Yokohama and claiming the lives of approximately 140,000 people. The Great Kanto Earthquake remains one of the deadliest natural disasters in history.
1939: The world stood on the brink as Nazi Germany invaded Poland, igniting the flames of World War II—a conflict that would engulf nations and change the course of history forever.
1964: History was made in Major League Baseball when Masanori Murakami of the San Francisco Giants took to the mound, becoming the first Japanese player to play in an MLB game, paving the way for future international stars.
1969: In Libya, a coup brought Colonel Moammar Gadhafi to power, a leader whose rule would shape the country’s destiny for decades.
1972: The world watched as American chess prodigy Bobby Fischer claimed victory over Soviet grandmaster Boris Spassky, securing the international chess crown in Reykjavik, Iceland. This triumph not only elevated Fischer to legendary status but also symbolized the intense Cold War rivalry between the U.S. and the USSR.
1983: Tragedy struck when a Korean Air Lines Boeing 747 was shot down by a Soviet fighter jet, resulting in the loss of 269 lives. The incident, caused by the airliner inadvertently entering Soviet airspace, sent shockwaves around the globe.
2004: The world was horrified as Islamic terrorists seized over 1,000 hostages in a school in Beslan, North Ossetia, Russia. The siege ended in a horrific climax, with 334 people losing their lives, more than half of whom were innocent children.
2015: In a defiant stand, Rowan County, Kentucky, Clerk Kim Davis refused to issue marriage licenses to gay couples, citing “God’s authority,” despite federal court orders. Her actions led to a brief jail stint and a continued legal battle over her refusal to comply.
Each of these events serves as a stark reminder of the complexities of human history—where moments of discovery, loss, conflict, and courage are interwoven, leaving an indelible mark on the world we live in today.
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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