On October 9, 1963, tragedy struck northern Italy when a mega-tsunami, triggered by a massive landslide into the Vajont Dam reservoir, destroyed several villages. The disaster claimed around 2,000 lives. The Vajont Dam, once a symbol of human engineering, became a grave reminder of the dangers of neglecting environmental factors, as the instability of the surrounding mountains had been overlooked during its construction.
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In 1910, a coal dust explosion at the Starkville Mine in Colorado killed 56 miners. The blast was one of many in early 20th-century American mining, highlighting the deadly risks workers faced in an era before modern safety regulations and the importance of coal to the nation’s industrial growth.
In 1962, Uganda achieved independence from British rule, becoming a sovereign nation. Uganda’s struggle for freedom mirrored the wave of decolonization sweeping across Africa, as many countries fought to break free from European control during this period.
In 1967, Marxist revolutionary Che Guevara was executed by the Bolivian army at the age of 39, a day after his capture. Guevara, who played a key role in the Cuban Revolution, had become a symbol of anti-imperialism. His death marked the end of his campaign to spread armed revolution across Latin America.
In 1985, Strawberry Fields, a memorial to John Lennon, was dedicated in New York’s Central Park. Lennon, who had been tragically assassinated five years earlier, remains an iconic figure in music history. The memorial, funded by donations from around the world, underscores the global impact of his message of peace and love.
In 2009, President Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to improve international diplomacy and cooperation. While the award was met with mixed reactions, it acknowledged Obama’s early focus on diplomacy, particularly his outreach to the Muslim world and attempts to reset U.S. relations with Russia.
In 2010, the world watched with hope and relief as a drill broke through into an underground chamber where 33 Chilean miners had been trapped for over two months. The miners’ miraculous survival, after enduring 69 days underground, became a symbol of human resilience, cooperation, and technological prowess.
In 2012, former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky was sentenced to 30 to 60 years in prison after being convicted on 45 counts of sexual abuse of young boys. The case, which exposed decades of abuse, sent shockwaves through the sports world and sparked widespread reform in how institutions handle allegations of misconduct.
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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