Major Historical Events on December 14 – Today in History

On December 14th in history, significant events have unfolded. These include the founding of the first military academy in Austria in 1751, the authorization of the first state road from Kentucky to Cincinnati in 1793, and the Battle of Lake Borgne in 1814, where the British emerged victorious over the United States. In the world of science, Max Planck presented his black-body radiation law in 1900, marking the birth of quantum physics. These events, among others, have left their mark on history and continue to be remembered today.

1287: St. Lucia’s Flood

During St. Lucia’s Flood in the Netherlands, the Zuiderzee seawall collapses, resulting in over 50,000 lives lost in the fifth-largest recorded flood in history.

1656: Artificial Pearls

M. Jacquin in Paris manufactures the first artificial pearls using gypsum pellets covered with fish scales.

1782: Charleston Evacuation

In 1751, Austria founded the Theresian Military Academy, the world’s first military academy. This institution played a significant role in military education and training, setting a precedent for similar academies worldwide.

1793: First State Road

The authorization for the first state road was granted, connecting Frankfort, Kentucky, to Cincinnati. This marked a significant development in transportation infrastructure, facilitating travel and trade between these two regions.

1814: Battle of Lake Borgne

The Battle of Lake Borgne in Louisiana saw the British achieve victory over the United States. This battle was part of the larger conflict during the War of 1812 between the two nations and had strategic implications in the region.

1849: First Chamber Music Group

The inaugural chamber music ensemble in the United States held its debut concert in Boston, marking the beginning of a rich musical tradition.

1862: Battle of Kinston

The Battle of Kinston, a significant engagement during the US Civil War’s Goldsboro Expedition in North Carolina, commenced, ultimately resulting in a Union victory.

1896: Glasgow Underground Railway

The Glasgow Underground Railway was officially opened by the Glasgow District Subway Company, revolutionizing transportation in the city.

1900: Birth of Quantum Physics

German physicist Max Planck introduced the theoretical foundation for quantum physics with his black-body radiation law, shaping the course of modern science.

1901: First Table Tennis Tournament

Table tennis enthusiasts gathered for the world’s first official tournament at the London Royal Aquarium, setting the stage for a popular sport.

1903: Wright Brothers’ First Flight

The pioneering Wright brothers embarked on their historic first flight attempt with the Wright Flyer in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, laying the groundwork for modern aviation.

1916: First Board Certified Doctors

In 1916, America achieved a medical milestone as the first board-certified doctors in ophthalmology were officially recognized after undergoing rigorous examinations in Memphis, Tennessee.

1917: Formation of UFA

UFA, Universal Film AG, emerged as a major player in the film industry when it was established in Germany, contributing to the global cinematic landscape.

1927: Iraq’s Independence

In 1927, Iraq celebrated its independence from British colonial rule, although British military presence persisted in the region.

1934: Streamlined Steam Locomotive

Albany, New York, saw a technological advance in transportation with the introduction of the first streamlined steam locomotive in 1934.

1941: Japan-Thailand Treaty

In 1941, Japan and Thailand solidified their alliance by signing a treaty, aligning their interests during a significant period in global history.

1950: UN High Commission for Refugees

The United Nations took a vital humanitarian step in 1950, establishing the High Commission for Refugees to address global refugee issues, later earning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1954.

1955: United Nations Membership

In 1955, the United Nations welcomed sixteen new member countries, including Austria, Finland, Italy, and Spain, strengthening international cooperation and diplomacy.

1959: “Time Out” by the Dave Brubeck Quartet

Jazz history was made in 1959 with the release of the groundbreaking album “Time Out” by the Dave Brubeck Quartet, which became the first jazz record to achieve one million copies in sales.

1967: DNA Creation

A pivotal moment in scientific history occurred in 1967 when DNA, the fundamental building block of life, was successfully created in a test tube, opening new avenues in genetics research.

1969: “La Strada” Flop

The musical “La Strada” opens and closes at Lunt Fontanne NYC after just one performance, becoming one of the biggest flops in showbusiness history.

1976: Dutch Abortion Laws

In 1976, the Dutch 1st Chamber made a significant decision by condemning Dutch Liberal/social-democratic abortion laws, sparking debates on reproductive rights.

1977: Egypt-Israel Peace Conference

A historic event unfolded in 1977 as Egyptian and Israeli representatives convened in Cairo for the first formal peace conference, marking a crucial step towards regional stability.

1986: Non-Stop Flight

The aviation world witnessed a milestone in 1986 when Voyager embarked on its groundbreaking non-stop, non-refueled flight around the world, pushing the boundaries of endurance and technology.

1988: Miami Heat’s First Win

In 1988, the NBA’s Miami Heat achieved a historic victory by winning their first-ever game, narrowly defeating the Clippers 89-88 after enduring 17 consecutive losses.

2004: Millau Viaduct Opening

The Millau viaduct, the world’s highest bridge, near Millau, France, designed by architect Norman Foster and engineer Michel Virlogeux, is officially opened.

2016: Amazon Drone Delivery

The future of delivery was unveiled in 2016 when Amazon announced its pioneering drone delivery service in the UK, covering a distance of 2 km from their warehouse, revolutionizing logistics.

2016: World’s Oldest Water

University of Toronto scientists present findings of the world’s oldest water, estimated to be 2 billion years old, from a mine in Canada.

2019: Record Property Sale

A piece of Hollywood history was made in 2019 as an iconic Bel Air mansion, famously featured in “The Beverly Hillbillies,” sold for a staggering $150 million, setting a new record as California’s most expensive property.

2019: Miss World Winner

In a historic moment for beauty pageants, Miss Jamaica Toni-Ann Singh was crowned Miss World in London in 2019, marking the first time all five major beauty titles were held by black women.

2020: COVID-19 Vaccination

Amid the global pandemic, America embarked on a crucial step in 2020 by initiating its first COVID-19 vaccinations using the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, coinciding with a grim milestone of over 300,000 recorded deaths.

2020: US Open Women’s Golf

Kim A-lim wins her first major title in the US Open Women’s Golf Championship, defeating fellow South Korean Ko Jin-young and American Amy Olson.

2022: Peru State of Emergency

Peru declares a 30-day nationwide state of emergency following a week of political protests after the removal and arrest of former President Pedro Castillo.

Also Read: Major Historical Events on December 13 – Today in History