Author: History and Headlines contributors

A Brief History This article presents a chronological list of notable events that happened on December 21st.  For each date below, please click on the date to be taken to an article covering that date’s event. Digging Deeper On December 21, 1898, the chemical element radium (Ra) was discovered by Pierre and Marie Curie who had isolated it from uranium. On December 21, 1936,  the Nazi German concept of a “schnellbomber” (fast bomber) that could outrun most fighter planes took to the air when the prototype Junkers Ju-88 made its first flight, achieving a remarkable (for the time) speed of 360…

A Brief History This article presents a chronological list of notable events that happened on December 20th.  For each date below, please click on the date to be taken to an article covering that date’s event. Digging Deeper On December 20, 217 AD, reigning Pope Saint Zephyrinus died, replaced by Callixtus I as his successor. On December 20, 1941, the American Volunteer Group, better known by its nickname, the Flying Tigers, engaged in its first air-to-air combat when its fighters encountered 10 Japanese “Sally” bombers. On December 20, 1941, the American Volunteer Group (AVG), better known by its nickname, the Flying…

A Brief History This article presents a chronological list of notable events that happened on December 19th.  For each date below, please click on the date to be taken to an article covering that date’s event. Digging Deeper On December 19, 1907, the Darr Mine disaster in Van Meter, Pennsylvania (Westmoreland County) killed a total of 239 miners, both men and boys. On December 19, 1912, US President William H. Taft pardoned the skipper of the ill-fated cruise ship, the PS General Slocum, which had burned and sunk on June 15, 1904, costing over 1000 people their lives. On December…

A Brief History This article presents a chronological list of notable events that happened on December 18th.  For each date below, please click on the date to be taken to an article covering that date’s event. Digging Deeper On December 18, 1898, French race car driver Gaston de Chassaloup-Laubat set the first recognized World Record for Land Speed at an unimpressive 63.13 kilometers per hour (39.25 mph). On December 18, 1912, Charles Dawson announced the discovery of the prehistoric missing link between ape and man! On December 18, 1932, the first NFL Championship game was played, between the Chicago Bears and…

A Brief History This article presents a chronological list of notable events that happened on December 17th.  For each date below, please click on the date to be taken to an article covering that date’s event. Digging Deeper On December 17, 497 BC, the Romans celebrated their Pagan holiday, Saturnalia, a celebration honoring their god of agriculture (and a bunch of other things) with partying and sacrifice. On December 17, 1862, the stormy history of civil rights in United States was once again shamefully marred when Major General Ulysses S. Grant, future President of the United States, issued his infamous…