December 24 - The Day in History

December 24 : General Interest 1979: Soviet tanks roll into Afghanistan On December 24, 1979, the Soviet Union invades Afghanistan, under the pretext of upholding the Soviet-Afghan Friendship Treaty of 1978... read more American Revolution 1745 : Benjamin Rush is born http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/benjamin-rush-is-born Automotive 1801 : Richard Trevithick introduces his "Puffing Devil" http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/richard-trevithick-introduces-his-puffing-devil Civil War 1864 : Bombardment of Fort Fisher begins http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/bombardment-of-fort-fisher-begins Cold War 1952 : McCarren-Walter Act goes into effect http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/mccarren-walter-act-goes-into-effect Crime 1994 : Islamic terrorists hijack a French plane http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/islamic-terrorists-hijack-a-french-plane Disaster 1953 : Volcanic eruption sweeps away train http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/volcanic-eruption-sweeps-away-train General Interest 1814 : War of 1812 ends http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/war-of-1812-ends 1851 : Fire ravages Library of Congress http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/fire-ravages-library-of-congress 1865 : KKK founded http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/kkk-founded Hollywood 1997 : Woody Allen marries Soon-Yi Previn http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/woody-allen-marries-soon-yi-previn Literary 1973 : Stephenie Meyer, best-selling author of vampire novels, is born http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/stephenie-meyer-best-selling-author-of-vampire-novels-is-born Music 1988 : "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" puts Poison atop the charts http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/quotevery-rose-has-its-thornquot-puts-poison-atop-the-charts Old West 1809 : Kit Carson born in Kentucky http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/kit-carson-born-in-kentucky Presidential 1851 : Fire destroys Jefferson library http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/fire-destroys-jefferson-library 1923 : Coolidge lights first national Christmas tree http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/coolidge-lights-first-national-christmas-tree Sports 1969 : Curt Flood challenges MLB reserve clause http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/curt-flood-challenges-mlb-reserve-clause Vietnam War 1964 : Viet Cong bomb Brinks Hotel http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/viet-cong-bomb-brinks-hotel 1972 : Bob Hope gives his last show in Vietnam http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/bob-hope-gives-his-last-show-in-vietnam World War I 1918 : American soldier John Douglas writes home from post-armistice France http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/american-soldier-john-douglas-writes-home-from-post-armistice-france World War II 1942 : French Admiral Jean Darlan is assassinated http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/french-admiral-jean-darlan-is-assassinated

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