December 4 - This day in History

December 4: General Interest
1991: Hostage Terry Anderson freed in Lebanon

On this day in 1991, Islamic militants in Lebanon release kidnapped American journalist Terry Anderson after 2,454 days in captivity. As chief Middle East correspondent for the Associated Press, Anderson covered the long-running civil war in Lebanon (1975-1990). On March 16, 1985, he was kidnapped on a west Beirut street while leaving a tennis court... read more


American Revolution
1780 : Washington's cousin tricks Loyalists
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/washingtons-cousin-tricks-loyalists


Automotive
1928 : "Irish Godfather" killed by car bomb in St. Paul
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/irish-godfather-killed-by-car-bomb-in-st-paul


Civil War
1864 : North and South skirmish at Waynesboro, Georgia
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/engagement-ends-at-waynesboro


Cold War
1945 : Senate approves U.S. participation in United Nations
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/senate-approves-us-participation-in-united-nations


Crime
1969 : Police kill two members of the Black Panther Party
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/police-kill-two-members-of-the-black-panther-party

2009 : Amanda Knox convicted of murder in Italy
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/amanda-knox-convicted-of-murder-in-italy


Disaster
1952 : Smog kills thousands in England
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/smog-kills-thousands-in-england


General Interest
1872 : The mystery of the Mary Celeste
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-mystery-of-the-imary-celestei

1918 : President Wilson travels to Europe
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/president-wilson-travels-to-europe

1992 : Bush orders U.S. troops to Somalia
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/bush-orders-us-troops-to-somalia


Hollywood
1981 : Warren Beatty writes, directs, stars in Oscar-winning Reds
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/warren-beatty-writes-directs-stars-in-oscar-winning-reds


Literary
1916 : Somerset Maugham sails for Pago Pago
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/somerset-maugham-sails-for-pago-pago


Music
1956 : The "Million Dollar Quartet" convenes at Sun Studios in Memphis, Tennessee
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-quotmillion-dollar-quartetquot-convenes-at-sun-studios-in-memphis-tennessee


Old West
1867 : Oliver Kelley organizes the Grange
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/oliver-kelley-organizes-the-grange


Presidential
1783 : Washington bids farewell to his officers
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/washington-bids-farewell-to-his-officers


Sports
1997 : NBA suspends Latrell Sprewell for attacking coach
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/nba-suspends-latrell-sprewell-for-attacking-coach


Vietnam War
1966 : Viet Cong attack Tan Son Nhut airport
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/viet-cong-attack-tan-son-nhut-airport

1967 : Riverine force surrounds Viet Cong battalion
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/riverine-force-surrounds-viet-cong-battalion


World War I
1917 : Psychiatrist reports on the phenomenon of shell shock
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/psychiatrist-reports-on-the-phenomenon-of-shell-shock


World War II
1942 : Polish Christians come to the aid of Polish Jews
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/polish-christians-come-to-the-aid-of-polish-jews