Today in History: 17th December

Today in History: 17th December

• Shimabara Rebellion: Japanese peasant uprising began due to heavy taxation; about 37,000 were beheaded (1637)
• Harold Holt: the Australian prime minister went missing and was presumed drowned while swimming off the coast of Portsea, Victoria (1967)
• Project Blue Book: US Air Force investigation into UFOs was terminated; the conclusion was that sightings were due to mass hysteria, hoaxes, mistakes and the like (1969)
• NAFTA: trade agreement was signed by Canada, the US and Mexico (1992)