1963: The Nation Watches in Shock as Jack Ruby Shoots Lee Harvey Oswald
On November 24, 1963, Jack Ruby, a Dallas nightclub owner, fatally shot Lee Harvey Oswald, the accused assassin of President John F. Kennedy. The dramatic event unfolded on live television, leaving millions of Americans stunned. Oswald’s death meant the full story behind Kennedy’s assassination might never be known, fueling decades of conspiracy theories and speculation about potential accomplices or alternative motives.
1859: Charles Darwin’s Revolutionary Work Challenges Scientific Thought
On this date in 1859, British naturalist Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species, a groundbreaking book that introduced the theory of evolution through natural selection. This work challenged prevailing ideas of creation and laid the foundation for modern biology. Darwin’s theories not only reshaped the scientific community but also sparked significant debates over religion, science, and humanity’s place in the natural world.
1947: The Hollywood Ten Defy Congress Amid Rising Red Scare Tensions
On November 24, 1947, ten film industry professionals, later known as the “Hollywood Ten,” were held in contempt of Congress for refusing to answer questions about alleged Communist ties. Their defiance during the Red Scare symbolized a broader struggle for freedom of speech amidst fears of Soviet influence in the United States. The blacklisting that followed decimated careers and underscored the pervasive paranoia of the McCarthy era, leaving a lasting mark on American civil liberties.
2012: Tragedy in Bangladesh Highlights Global Factory Safety Issues
A devastating fire tore through a garment factory in Bangladesh on this day in 2012, killing 112 workers. Many of the victims were unable to escape because the eight-story building lacked emergency exits. The factory supplied clothing to major Western retailers, bringing international scrutiny to unsafe working conditions in global supply chains. The incident prompted demands for reform, including the Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety, aimed at preventing future tragedies.
2014: Ferguson Grand Jury Decision Sparks National Outrage
On November 24, 2014, a St. Louis County grand jury announced its decision not to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in the fatal shooting of Michael Brown, an unarmed Black teenager. The ruling ignited widespread protests, some of which turned violent, as frustrations over racial inequality and police brutality boiled over. The unrest in Ferguson became a flashpoint for the burgeoning Black Lives Matter movement, which continues to call for systemic reform in policing and racial justice across the United States.
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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