December 16
Today in America's Present Past
1714 | Cleric George Whitfield was born.
1773 | The Boston Tea Party led by “Sons of Liberty.”
1777 | Virginia became the first state to ratify the Articles of Confederation.
1826 | In Mexican controlled Nacogdoches, Texas, Benjamin W. Edwards declares himself ruler of the Republic of Fredonia.
1833 | Indian Wars: The Cutthroat Gap massacre occurs.
1901 | Anthropologist Margaret Mead was born.
1904 | Economist Edward Morris Bernstein was born.
1907 | POTUS: Republican President Roosevelt dispatches the navel “great white fleet” on a two year global voyage to project American seapower.
1917 | Journalist Murray Kempton was born.
1925 | Alpha Phi Omega was formed.
1928 | Author Philip K. Dick was born.
1928 | Poet Elinor Wylie died.
1933 | Historian Charles L. Blockson was born.
1941 | Journalist Lesley Stahl was born.
1942 | Entrepreneur and politician Donald Carcieri was born.
1944 | WWII: The Battle of the Bulge commences.
1950 | Cold War: Democrat President Truman declares a State of Emergency against “Communist Imperialism.”
1950 | Shirley Temple wed Charles Alden Black.
1951 | TV: “Dragnet” debuted.
1960 | Two airliners collide over Staten Island, killing 134.
1971 | Music: Don McLean releases an eight minute version of “American Pie.”
1980 | Entrepreneur Colonel Sanders died.
1985 | Film: “The Color Purple” debuted.
2001 | YouTuber Kai Cenat was born.
2009 | Entrepreneur Roy E. Disney died.
2018 | Entrepreneur Colin Kroll died.
2024 | Natalie Lynn Rupnow killed students and teachers at her local school.
2024 | Entertainer and activist Anita Bryant died.