1917 – The 18th Amendment to the Constitution, authorizing prohibition of alcohol, is approved by the US congress and sent to the states for ratification.
1920 – 1st US postage stamps printed without the words United States or US.
1944 – US Destroyers Hull, Spence & Monaghan sink in typhoon (Philippines)
1956 – “To Tell the Truth” debuts on CBS TV.
1956 – Phil Rizzuto signs as NY Yankees radio-TV announcer.
1958 – Project SCORE, world’s 1st communications satellite launched from Cape Canaveral.
1961 – For 2nd consecutive year, AP names Wilma Rudolph female athlete of year.
1963 – “The Pink Panther” film premieres, directed by Blake Edwards and starring Peter Sellers and David Niven, with theme by Henry Mancini.
1965 – Frank Borman and Jim Lovell splash down in the Atlantic after a two week Gemini VII mission.
1966 – Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” aired for the 1st1 time on CBS.
1972 – US launches Operation Linebacker II, its heaviest bombing of North Vietnam, as negotiations to end the Vietnam War collapse.
1977 – NBA Cleveland Cavaliers retired jersey #42, Nate Thurman.
1985 – UN Security Council unanimously condemns “acts of hostage-taking”
1991 – General Motors announces closing of 21 plants.
1996 – US TV industry execs agree to adopt a ratings system.
2002 – Governor of California Gray Davis announces the state faces a record budget deficit of $35 billion, roughly double the figure reported during his reelection campaign one month later.
2011 – The last US troops withdraw from Iraq, formally ending the Iraq War.
2019 – US House of Representatives votes to impeach President Donald Trump for abuse of power (230-197) and obstruction of Congress (229-198)
2020 – Moderna COVID-19 vaccine granted emergency authorization by US Food and Drug Administration.
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