December 18, 1865, Secretary of State William Seward officially proclaimed the Thirteenth Amendment ratified, officially ending slavery in the United States. Seward’s announcement was especially fulfilling to the New Yorker, who had spent much of his adult life fighting for the end of slavery.…
Read MoreOn December 17, 1983, London witnessed one of its darkest days when a car bomb exploded outside Harrods Department Store, killing six people and injuring nearly 100 others. The Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA), a paramilitary group advocating for Irish unification, orchestrated the attack.…
Read MoreMohamed Bouazizi, a Tunisian street vendor born on March 29, 1984, became an unwitting symbol of resistance and change when he set himself on fire on December 17, 2010. His tragic act was a desperate response to the constant harassment and corruption he faced…
Read MoreOn December 16, 1944, the serene winter landscape of the Ardennes forest erupted into chaos as German forces launched a massive surprise assault on Allied troops. This confrontation, known as the Battle of the Bulge, became one of the most critical turning points of…
Read MoreIn the lively streets of late 19th-century New York City, the air was filled with the enticing aromas of roasted chestnuts and sizzling sausages, blending with the vibrant calls of street vendors selling their goods. Among these vendors was Italo Marchiony, an Italian…
Read More“Gone with the Wind,” one of the most iconic films in cinematic history, premiered on December 15, 1939, at Loew’s Grand Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. The event was a grand spectacle, attended by numerous celebrities, dignitaries, and the film’s cast and crew. The premiere…
Read MoreThe National Guard, a vital component of American defense and community service, traces its origins to December 13, 1636. On that day, the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony took the decisive step of organizing its militia into three regiments. This move, aimed…
Read MoreThe capture of Saddam Hussein was a pivotal moment in modern history, marking a significant turning point in the aftermath of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. On December 13, 2003, American forces, acting on intelligence information, located and apprehended the former Iraqi president near…
Read MoreDuring the late 1910s, while ministering to the homeless of Omaha, Nebraska, Father Edward Joseph Flanagan became interested in young people and their struggle to grow into responsible, productive adults. He wanted to help them improve their lives and soon founded Boys Town on…
Read MoreOn December 11, 2008, Bernie Madoff, a highly regarded Wall Street financier and former Nasdaq chairman, was arrested for orchestrating one of the largest Ponzi schemes in history. As the founder of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC, Madoff faced securities fraud charges after…
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