What does the Monroe Doctrine, Pearl Harbor and the Battle of Fredericksburg all have in common? They are all significant nuggets in December history. Brush up on your December history facts here.
December 2, 1823, President James Monroe introduced his “Monroe Doctrine” during his annual message to the Congress.
December 2, 1982, Dr. William De Vries implanted the first permanent artificial heart in 61-year-old Barney C. Clark at the University Of Utah Medical Center.
December 5, 1955, the Montgomery Alabama bus boycott began in response to the arrest of Rosa Parks.
December 7, 1941, The U.S. Naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, was attacked by the Japanese.
December 13, 1862, General Burnside issued orders that started the Battle of Fredericksburg; 17,962 Americans died. “It is well that war is so terrible. We should grow too fond of it,” stated Confederate General Robert E. Lee.
December 15, 1791, The Bill of Rights (first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution) became effective following ratification by Virginia.
December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright achieved the first powered, controlled airplane flight near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
December 20, 1860, South Carolina became the first state to secede from the Union in a prelude to the American Civil War.
December 25th – Christmas Day, commemorating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Although the exact date of his birth is not known, it has been celebrated on December 25th since 336 A.D.