On September 27, 1996, the Taliban, a group of former Islamic seminary students, overthrew the government of President Burhanuddin Rabbani in Afghanistan. They swiftly captured the capital, Kabul, and executed the former leader, Najibullah, marking the beginning of their oppressive regime. This moment shaped Afghanistan’s political landscape for decades, leading to years of international conflict and humanitarian crises.
Also on this day:
In 1779, John Adams, a key figure in the American Revolution, was appointed by Congress to negotiate peace terms with Britain. His diplomatic efforts helped lay the groundwork for the Treaty of Paris in 1783, which ultimately recognized the independence of the United States and ended the Revolutionary War.
In 1903, a tragic train derailment occurred near Danville, Virginia, when a Southern Railway mail train, known as Old 97, crashed, killing 11 people. This disaster became legendary, inspiring the famous country ballad, “Wreck of the Old 97,” which tells the story of the speeding locomotive and its ill-fated journey.
In 1939, after weeks of fierce resistance, Warsaw, Poland surrendered to the invading forces of Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. This marked the beginning of a brutal occupation that would last throughout World War II, with devastating consequences for Poland and its people.
In 1940, the Axis powers of World War II – Germany, Italy, and Japan – formally solidified their alliance by signing the Tripartite Pact. This agreement laid the foundation for a global conflict that would engulf much of the world, with the Axis seeking to dominate Europe and the Pacific.
In 1964, the U.S. government publicly released the Warren Commission’s report on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The report controversially concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, a finding that continues to be debated by historians and conspiracy theorists alike.
In 1979, Congress gave its final approval to the creation of the U.S. Department of Education, establishing a federal agency to oversee national education policies. This marked a significant shift in how the U.S. government would approach education, aiming to standardize and improve learning opportunities across the country.
In 1991, President George H.W. Bush made a historic announcement in a nationally televised address, declaring that the United States would unilaterally eliminate all battlefield nuclear weapons. His bold call for the Soviet Union to match this gesture was seen as a major step in de-escalating the Cold War and reducing the global nuclear threat.
In 1994, over 350 Republican congressional candidates gathered on the steps of the U.S. Capitol to sign the “Contract with America,” a 10-point conservative platform that aimed to overhaul government policies. The contract played a significant role in the Republicans gaining a majority in the House during the midterm elections, reshaping U.S. politics for years to come.
In 2018, a dramatic day-long Senate Judiciary Committee hearing unfolded as Christine Blasey Ford testified that she was “100 percent” certain that Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh had sexually assaulted her when they were teenagers. Kavanaugh vehemently denied the allegations, stating he was “100 percent certain” that no such assault occurred, in a moment that deeply divided the nation.
In 2021, R&B singer R. Kelly was convicted in a highly publicized sex trafficking trial in New York. The verdict followed decades of allegations of misconduct involving young women and children, with Kelly finally held accountable for his long history of abuse. This conviction marked a turning point in the broader movement against sexual exploitation in the entertainment industry.
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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