23rd December 1750: Ben Franklin accidentally shocks himself while trying to electrocute a turkey
Benjamin Franklin, the American polymath, accidentally electrocuted himself while attempting to kill a ...
23 Dec 20250s
22nd December 1964: Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird strategic reconnaissance aircraft makes its first flight
The SR-71 was used to conduct reconnaissance missions over hostile territory, providing high-quality photographic and electronic intelligence until its retirement in ...
22 Dec 20250s
21st December 1913: First modern crossword puzzle printed in the New York World newspaper, created by Arthur Wynne
Wynne’s first ‘word-cross puzzle’ was shaped as a symmetrical diamond with a hollow centre, and was developed by Wynne for the 21 December issue of the New York World’s ‘Fun’ ...
21 Dec 20250s
20th December 1917: Establishment of the Cheka, the Russian Bolshevik secret police
Established following a decree by Lenin on 19 December, the Cheka’s focus was on defending the revolution by removing internal threats to the communist ...
20 Dec 20250s
19th December 1777: George Washington leads the Continental Army into winter quarters at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
By the time the Continental Army left Valley Forge in June 1778 it was smaller in number but stronger in organisation and confidence, establishing the foundations of its eventual success against Briti...
19 Dec 20250s
18th December 1892: Tchaikovsky’s ballet The Nutcracker receives its première performance at the Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg
Composed in the Romantic style, the score received good reviews although responses to the ballet itself were mostly negative. The fortunes of the ballet only turned around with a new staging in New Yo...
18 Dec 20250s
17th December 497 BCE: The first Saturnalia festival celebrated in ancient Rome
The Saturnalia festival was dedicated to Roman god, ...
17 Dec 20250s
16th December 1431: Henry VI became the only English monarch to be crowned King of France
Henry was crowned by the Bishop of Paris, as the Archbishop of Reims was aligned with the French crown. Attendance was limited, and the event failed to generate significant support among the French .....
16 Dec 20250s
