1941: The Attack on Pearl Harbor
On December 7, 1941, the Empire of Japan launched a surprise aerial assault on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, killing over 2,300 Americans and devastating the Pacific Fleet. The attack, described by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as “a date which will live in infamy,” galvanized the United States into action, prompting Congress to declare war on Japan the following day. This marked the nation’s official entry into World War II, reshaping global alliances and setting the stage for a conflict that would alter the course of the 20th century.
1972: Apollo 17’s Historic Launch
On this date in 1972, NASA’s Apollo 17 mission lifted off from Cape Canaveral, becoming the final crewed mission to the moon. Commanded by Eugene Cernan, the mission featured groundbreaking scientific exploration, including the collection of over 200 pounds of lunar samples. This achievement not only capped an era of human lunar exploration but also underscored America’s dominance in space during the Cold War era, inspiring generations of scientists and engineers.
1988: Armenia’s Devastating Earthquake
A catastrophic earthquake struck northern Armenia, then part of the Soviet Union, on December 7, 1988. With a magnitude of 6.8, the tremor leveled cities, claimed at least 25,000 lives, and left hundreds of thousands homeless. The disaster drew a rare international relief effort during the Cold War, highlighting the vulnerability of the Soviet infrastructure and the global solidarity in the face of human suffering.
2004: Afghanistan’s First Elected Leader
In a milestone for Afghanistan’s journey toward democracy, Hamid Karzai was inaugurated as the nation’s first popularly elected president on December 7, 2004. This event followed decades of conflict and signified a pivotal moment in Afghanistan’s reconstruction efforts after the fall of the Taliban. It also marked an important step in the international community’s efforts to foster stability in the region.
2018: A Conviction for Hate-Fueled Violence
On December 7, 2018, James Alex Fields Jr. was convicted of first-degree murder for driving his car into a crowd of counterprotesters at a 2017 white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. The attack, which killed one person and injured dozens, underscored the rising tensions surrounding issues of race and extremism in the United States. The conviction was widely seen as a statement against hate-fueled violence and a call for accountability in a deeply divided society.
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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