December 19th
Today in 1776,Thomas Paine published his first "American Crisis" essay, in which he wrote, "These are the times that try men's souls."
Today in 1857,the first roll of commercially produced toilet paper was sold.
Today in 1871,Albert L. Jones patented corrugated paper.
Today in 1918,Robert Ripley began his "Believe It or Not" columnin "The New York Globe."
Today in 1959,the last civil war veteran, Walter Williams,died at the age of 117 in Houston.
Today in 1969, the James Bond flick, "On Her Majesty's Secret Service,"was released. Who played Bond? George Lazenby.
Today in 1971,CBS aired "The Homecoming: A Christmas Story,"a TV movie that introduced viewers to "the Walton" family.
Today in 1973,Johnny Carson started a fake toilet-paper scare on the "Tonight Show." In his monologue, he told his huge audience that a Wisconsin congressman had warned that toilet paper was disappearing from supermarket shelves. Due to his gag – it did in many areas of the United States.
Today in 1979,the film, "Kramer vs. Kramer," starring Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Jane Alexander and Justin Henry,opened in theaters.
Today in 1980, Iran requested$24-billion in US guarantees to free hostages.
Today in 1980,Martin Scorsese's film, "Raging Bull," starring Robert DeNiro as boxer Jake LaMotta opened in theaters nationwide.
Today in 1996,actor Marcello Mastroianni died in Paris at the age of 72.
Today in 1997,James Cameron's epic, "Titanic,” starring Leonardo Dicaprio and Kate Winslet,opened in theaters nationwide. The same day?the James Bond flick, "Tomorrow Never Dies," starring Pierce Brosnan
Today in 1998,President Clinton was impeached by the Republican-controlled House for perjury and obstruction of justice, becoming only the second chief executive to be ordered to stand trial in the Senate. Like Andrew Johnson before him, he was acquitted.
Today in 1999,the space shuttle, "Discovery,"and seven astronauts roared into the night on STS-103. The mission? To repair the crippled Hubble Space Telescope.
Today in 1999,Desmond Llewelyn, who'd starred as the eccentric gadget expert "Q" in a string of James Bond films,was killed in a car crash in East Sussex, England. He was 85.
Today in 2000,the U.N. Security Council voted to impose sanctions on Afghanistan's Taliban rulers unless they closed all terrorist training camps and surrender U.S. embassy bombing suspect Osama bin Laden.
Today in 2001,the movie, "Lord of the Rings,"opened in theaters nationwide.
Today in 2002,Senator Trent Lott resigned as the Senate Majority Leader as a result of political pressure that followed his making what was deemed a highly racist comment weeks before.
Today in 2007,after proclaiming independence, the Lakotah people, a Native American tribe, withdrew all their treaties with the United States. They then proceeded to establish the Republic of Lakotah.
Today in 2008,US President George W. Bush signed a $17.4-billion rescue package of loans for ailing automakers General Motors and Chrysler.
Today in 2010,the"Miracle at the New Meadowlands” took place. Trailing the New York Giants by 21 points with under eight minutes to play in the 4th quarter, the Philadelphia Eagles scored four unanswered touchdowns in the final seven minutes and 28 seconds of play, including the final score, a dramatic walk-off punt returned for a touchdown by DeSean Jackson as time expired.
Today in 2012,UBS bank was fined $1.5-billion for its role in manipulating the Libor rate.
Today in 2012,Park Geun-hye won the South Korean presidential election and became the nation’s first female president. She was later removed from office amidst a corruption scandal.
Today in 2012,nearly 100 were injured after part of the ceiling caved in at London’s Apollo Theater.
Today in 2016, a truck was driven into a Christmas market in Berlin– killing 12, and injuring 56. The perpetrator was a failed Tunisian asylum seeker. Four days after the attack,he was killed in a shootout with police near Milan in Italy.
Today in 2016,the Electoral Collage voted 304 to 227 to nominate Donald Trump for President over the objections of seven faithless electors.
Today in 2018,President Donald Trump announced victory over ISIS and his planned withdrawal of American troops from Syria.
Today in 2018,drones flying over Gatwick airport in England,caused delays and cancellations for 800 flights and 110-thousand people.