December 22 - The Day in History

December 22 : General Interest 1956: First gorilla born in captivity On this day in 1956, a baby gorilla named Colo enters the world at the Columbus Zoo in Ohio, becoming the first-ever gorilla born in captivity... read more American Revolution 1775 : Continental Congress creates a Continental Navy http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/continental-congress-creates-a-continental-navy Automotive 1900 : First "Mercedes" is delivered to its buyer http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-mercedes-is-delivered-to-its-buyer Civil War 1864 : Sherman presents Lincoln with a Christmas gift http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/sherman-presents-lincoln-with-a-christmas-gift Cold War 1990 : Lech Walesa sworn in as president of Poland http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/lech-walesa-sworn-in-as-president-of-poland Crime 1978 : John Wayne Gacy confesses http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/john-wayne-gacy-confesses Disaster 1939 : Express trains collide in Germany http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/express-trains-collide-in-germany General Interest 1894 : Dreyfus affair begins in France http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/dreyfus-affair-begins-in-france 1971 : Waldheim elected U.N. secretary-general http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/waldheim-elected-un-secretary-general 1984 : The Bernhard Goetz subway shooting http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-bernhard-goetz-subway-shooting 1989 : Romanian government falls http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/romanian-government-falls Hollywood 1979 : Hollywood mogul Darryl Zanuck dies http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/hollywood-mogul-darryl-zanuck-dies Literary 1849 : Dostoevsky reprieved at last minute http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/dostoevsky-reprieved-at-last-minute Music 1808 : Beethoven's Fifth Symphony given world premiere in Vienna http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/beethoven39s-fifth-symphony-given-world-premiere-in-vienna Old West 1884 : John Chisum dies in Arkansas http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/john-chisum-dies-in-arkansas Presidential 1968 : Julie Nixon marries David Eisenhower http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/julie-nixon-marries-david-eisenhower Sports 1971 : L.A. Lakers break pro sports winning streak record http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/la-lakers-break-pro-sports-winning-streak-record Vietnam War 1971 : Soviet Union attacks Chinese policy toward Vietnam http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/soviet-union-attacks-chinese-policy-toward-vietnam 1972 : Washington announces Linebacker II raids will continue http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/washington-announces-linebacker-ii-raids-will-continue World War I 1917 : Russian-German peace talks begin at Brest-Litovsk http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/russian-german-peace-talks-begin-at-brest-litovsk World War II 1941 : Churchill and Roosevelt discuss war and peace http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/churchill-and-roosevelt-discuss-war-and-peace

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