December 21st has witnessed some remarkable events throughout history. It’s a day where we’ve seen significant changes, exciting discoveries, and notable moments that have shaped our world. From groundbreaking space missions to key political events, this date stands out as a memorable one in the history books. Let’s take a quick look at some of the Major Historical Events on December 21 – Today in History.
Major Historical Events on December 21 – Today in History
1582 Flanders Adopts Gregorian Calendar
On this date, Flanders made a significant switch to the Gregorian calendar, effectively skipping 11 days. The region jumped from December 21, 1582, to January 1, 1583, aligning with the new calendar system.
1784 John Jay’s New Role
In 1784, John Jay became the acting US Secretary of State. It is a position he held until 1790, playing a crucial role in shaping early American foreign policy.
1829 First Stone Arch Railroad Bridge
The United States saw the dedication of its first stone arch railroad bridge in Baltimore in 1829. It signaled a leap in infrastructure and transportation development.
1849 First US Skating Club
Philadelphia was home to the formation of the first U.S. skating club in 1849. It was marked as the beginning of organized ice skating in America.
1864 Sherman Captures Savannah
General Sherman captured Savannah, Georgia, in 1864, a significant moment in the American Civil War, signifying the end of his famous “March to the Sea.”
1890 Pim Mulier’s Alvesteddetocht
In 1890, Pim Mulier undertook his first and only journey to “Alvesteddetocht,” contributing significantly to Dutch and international skating history.
1891 First Basketball Game
The first game of basketball, based on James Naismith’s rules, was played by 18 students in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1891, marking the birth of a global sport.
1906 British Social Legislation
The British Parliament passed two critical pieces of social legislation in 1906: The Trades Disputes Bill and The Workingmen’s Compensation Act, significantly advancing workers’ rights.
1909 Junior High School Established
Berkeley, California, became the site of the first junior high school in 1909, marking a significant change in the American educational system.
1913 First Crossword Puzzle
The first crossword puzzle, consisting of 32 clues, was published in the New York World in 1913, starting a worldwide puzzle phenomenon.
1914 Silent Film Comedy Premiere
In 1914, the first feature-length silent film comedy, “Tillie’s Punctured Romance,” was released, starring Marie Dressler, Mabel Normand, and Charlie Chaplin, a significant development in film history.
1929 Group Hospital Insurance
In 1929, the first group hospital insurance plan was offered in Dallas, Texas, marking a significant step in the evolution of health insurance in the United States.
1934 “Zouzou” Film Premiere
The French film “Zouzou” premiered in Paris in 1934, starring Josephine Baker, the first black woman to lead a major motion picture, representing a milestone in cinema history.
1937 “Snow White” Premieres
“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” Disney’s first full-length animated feature film, premiered in Los Angeles in 1937, setting a new standard for animated movies.
1937 NHL Historical Goal
In 1937, Chicago Black Hawks’ Paul Thompson became the first player in NHL history to score a goal against his brother, Cecil Thompson, adding a unique moment to sports history.
1941 Diamond’s Symphony Premiere
David Diamond’s 1st Symphony premiered in 1941 with the New York Philharmonic-Symphony Society, conducted by Dimitri Mitropoulos, marking a significant event in American classical music.
1948 NFL Draft’s First Pick
The NFL Draft of 1948 saw Chuck Bednarik, a linebacker/center from the University of Pennsylvania, selected first by the Philadelphia Eagles, a notable event in football history.
1948 State of Eire Independence
In 1948, the State of Eire (formerly the Irish Free State) declared its independence, marking a pivotal moment in Irish history.
1949 Dutch Accept Indonesian Sovereignty
In 1949, the Dutch First Chamber accepted the sovereignty of Indonesia, ending colonial ties and marking a significant moment in Indonesian history.
1952 San Francisco’s Broadway Tunnel
The Broadway Tunnel opened in San Francisco in 1952, representing a notable development in the city’s infrastructure.
1958 Charles de Gaulle Elected
In 1958, Charles de Gaulle was elected for a seven-year term as the first President of France’s Fifth Republic, marking a key moment in French politics.
1959 NYC’s Major Snowfall
New York City experienced its 10th largest snowfall in history in 1959, with 13.7 inches of snow, a significant weather event for the city.
1968 “Wichita Lineman” Album #1
In 1968, Glen Campbell’s album “Wichita Lineman” reached #1 in the US, symbolizing a peak in his musical career.
1968 Apollo 8 Launched
NASA’s Apollo 8, the first crewed Moon voyage, was launched in 1968 with astronauts Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, and William Anders, a monumental moment in space exploration.
1970 Elvis Meets Nixon
In 1970, Elvis Presley met US President Richard Nixon in the White House, a meeting that became iconic, evidenced by its high demand in the National Archives.
1975 Jets’ 1,000 Yards Achievement
In 1975, John Riggins became the first New York Jet to gain 1,000 yards rushing in a season, marking a significant achievement in the team’s history.
1988 Lockerbie Bombing
The Lockerbie disaster occurred in 1988 when Pan Am Flight 103 was destroyed mid-air by a terrorist bomb over Scotland, a tragic event in aviation history.
1989 New Zealand Inflation Target
In 1989, New Zealand became the first country to set a formal inflation target, a significant step in economic policy that was later adopted by other countries.
1995 Ertl’s World Cup Victory
Martina Ertl of Germany won her third giant slalom world cup in 1995, marking her as a dominant figure in the skiing world.
2005 Civil Partnership Act in UK
The Civil Partnership Act came into force in the UK in 2005, a significant advancement in LGBT rights, with Elton John and David Furnish among the first to form a union.
2012 “Gangnam Style” Milestone
In 2012, “Gangnam Style” by Psy became the first video to reach one billion views on YouTube, a groundbreaking achievement in digital media.
2016 “Dangal” Film Premiere
The Indian sports drama film “Dangal,” directed by Nitesh Tiwari and starring Aamir Khan, premiered in 2016, becoming the first Indian film to earn $300 million worldwide.
2020 Israel Kamakawiwoʻole’s Billion Views
In 2020, Hawaiian vocalist Israel Kamakawiwoʻole’s music video for “Over the Rainbow” reached a billion views on YouTube, a testament to its enduring popularity.
2021 Nuclear Fission Breakthrough
In 2021, a significant leap in nuclear fission technology was achieved at the JET Laboratory in the UK. This experiment successfully generated 59 megajoules of energy over five seconds.
2022 Zelensky Visits Washington
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Washington, D.C., in 2022. During this significant diplomatic event, he met with US President Joe Biden at the White House and addressed the US Congress.
Also Read: Major Historical Events on December 20 – Today in History
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