Dec 31st, the Final day of Year 2008
Today's Highlight in History: On Dec. 31, 1879, Thomas Edison first publicly demonstrated his electric incandescent light in Menlo Park, N.J.
1775
George Washington orders recruiting officers to accept free blacks into the army.
1852
The richest year of the gold rush ends with $81.3 million in gold produced.
1862
President Lincoln signed an act paving the way for West Virginia statehood.
1910
John B. Moisant and Arch Hoxsey, two of America’s foremost aviators, die in separate plane crashes.
1911
Helene Dutrieu wins the Femina aviation cup in Etampes. She sets a distance record for women at 158 miles.
1915
The Germans torpedo the British liner Persia without any warning killing 335 passengers.
1923
The Sahara is crossed by an automobile for the first time.
1930
Brewery heir Adolphus Busch is kidnapped.
1941
General MacArthur reports that U.S. lines in Manila have been pushed back by the Japanese.
1942
After five months of battle, Emperor Hirohito allows the Japanese commanders at Guadalcanal to retreat.
1944
Hungary declares war on Germany.
1965
California becomes the largest state in population.
1977
Cambodia breaks relations with Vietnam.
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Today in History, Dec 31st
Dear J€€T thanks for the info.
Here I'm adding some more information for the members, as I felt the need of sharing one vital info with the members.
Today is Wednesday, December 31st, the 366th day of 2008.
In 1999, the Kandahar hijack drama ended. Five hijackers, who had been holding 155 hostages on an Indian Airlines plane IC 814, left the plane in exchange of terrorists that they had demanded be freed.
After negotiations between the Indian government and the hijackers, the hostages were released.
Other highlights in history on this date:
In 1904, The first New Year's Eve celebration was held in Times Square, earlier known as Longacre Square, in New York.
In 1987, Robert Mugabe assumed office as the President of Zimbabwe.
In 1999, Boris Yeltsin stepped down from his post as Russian President.
In 2004, Taipei 101, the current tallest skyscraper in the world, standing at a height of 509 metres (1,670 feet) officially opened.
Thanks to CAClub India members,
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