# Today in History **URL:** \ **Category:** Thread Games\ **Created:** [July 10, 2016, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530 "2016-07-10T04:53:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 48
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2017, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/943 "2017-12-08T06:12:33Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > **December 8, 1863** : [The Church of the Company Fire](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_the_Company_Fire&ved=0ahUKEwjKgMnv3fnXAhWSkOAKHT0vBzkQFgglMAA&usg=AOvVaw3x-5_M7oUZECejV23XbzwW)kills somewhere between 2000 and 3000 people in Santiago, Chile. This is the deadliest accidental single structure fire in recorded history. \*\*1863 \*\* Edited for correct year. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2017, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/944 "2017-12-09T13:14:03Z")
**December 9, 1965** : \*A Charlie Brown Christmas \* airs for the first time. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2017, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/945 "2017-12-09T17:17:01Z")
**December 9, 1979:** The eradication of the smallpox virus is certified, making smallpox the first and to date only human disease driven to extinction. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2017, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/946 "2017-12-09T22:22:55Z")
I’ll go with today’s news. Hey, it’s already happened, so it’s history. \*\*December 9, 2017: \*\*Australia becomes the 26th country to legalize same-sex marriage. YAY! ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2017, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/947 "2017-12-10T06:55:04Z")
**December 10, 1941** : Just 3 days after Pearl Harbor, Japanese bombers [torpedo and sink the HMS _Prince of Wales_ and the HMS \*Repulse \*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinking_of_Prince_of_Wales_and_Repulse). 840 lives are lost. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/948 "2017-12-11T06:39:53Z")
**December 11, 1934** : [The Kerns Hotel Fire](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://cardboardamerica.org/2016/12/12/kerns-hotel-fire-december-11-1934/amp/&ved=0ahUKEwjy5JWgq4HYAhWEmOAKHeSuCqYQFgi7ATAg&usg=AOvVaw0CFBeR0tc_JUlwrHTU_AK-&cf=1) in Lansing, Michigan kills 32 and injures another 44. Seven of the dead are Michigan state legislators. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2017, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/949 "2017-12-12T05:14:55Z")
\*\*December 12, 1917 \*\*: [The St-Michel-de Maurienne train derailment](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne_derailment&ved=0ahUKEwjms7PQ2oPYAhVEneAKHfHVCkQQFggoMAA&usg=AOvVaw3vrTjGbClsl-aqXztChllf)in France kills over 700. Most of the dead are French troops returning home for Christmas. This is France’s deadliest train accident and one of the worst in history. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/950 "2017-12-14T05:31:39Z")
**December 14, 1949** : [The Swift & Company Explosion](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.siouxcityhistory.org/disasters/99-swift-explosion&ved=0ahUKEwiY1Kmg4ojYAhUJYt8KHVvBAm8QFgglMAA&usg=AOvVaw2Qn6coiuMAPJ-1WtYF8foL) in Sioux City, Iowa kills 21 and injures more than 90. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/951 "2017-12-14T09:43:11Z")
**December 14, 1287:** The Zuiderzee sea wall in the Netherlands collapses, killing over 50,000 people. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2017, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/952 "2017-12-15T05:07:40Z")
**December 15, 1967** : [The Silver Bridge](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.herald-dispatch.com/multimedia/photo_galleries/photos_news/gallery-historical-photos-of-the-collapse-of-the-silver-bridge/article_89262253-73c6-53d9-a1a9-9d027cdbd755.html&ved=2ahUKEwiapcm6nYvYAhXJUd8KHck5Ah8QFjAXegQIBxAB&usg=AOvVaw17Ure02Q9b93pZSDjrGStQ) over the Ohio River collapses during rush hour traffic. 46 are killed. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2017, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/953 "2017-12-16T05:59:21Z")
**December 16, 1811** : The first of the [New Madrid Earthquakes](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.new-madrid.mo.us/index.aspx%3Fnid%3D132&ved=2ahUKEwjdzuHU6Y3YAhWpUd8KHe-zCgwQFjAcegQICBAB&usg=AOvVaw2ovux7OVxBiyRsXT8AIyci) strikes, this one centered in Northeast Arkansas. The estimated 7.5+ earthquake hits a little after 2 in the morning, followed by a jolt of similar size at about 7:30. While thousands of more earthquakes would strike the area over the next few months, the quakes on January 23, 1812 and February 7, 1812 would also be of similar tremendous strength. This part of the country was sparsely populated at the time. Were these quakes to happen today, the death toll would be very high. Experts believe massive earthquakes happen on the New Madrid fault every few hundred years. These are easily the strongest known earthquakes east of the Rocky Mountains in the United States. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2017, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/954 "2017-12-16T06:26:21Z")
\*\*December 16, 1979: \*\*Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach starts his last regular season game, and retires. One of the all-time great QBs hangs up his cleats. Wikipedia: > [@](#): > > In his final NFL season of 1979, Staubach scored career highs in completions (267), passing yards (3,586) and touchdown passes (27), with just 11 interceptions. He retired at the conclusion of the season, as he declined the Cowboys’ offer for two more seasons in order to protect his long-term health. He suffered 20 concussions in his playing career, including six in which he said he was “knocked out”. After suffering two concussions in 1979, a doctor at Cornell told Staubach that while his brain tests were fine at the moment, another concussion could have life-altering consequences. He was succeeded as the Cowboys starting quarterback by Danny White. > > Overall, Staubach finished his 11 NFL seasons with 1,685 completions for 22,700 yards and 153 touchdowns, with 109 interceptions. He also gained 2,264 rushing yards and scored 21 touchdowns on 410 carries. For regular-season games, he had a .750 winning percentage. Staubach recorded the highest passer rating in the NFL in four seasons (1971, 1973, 1978, 1979) and led the league with 23 touchdown passes in 1973. He was an All-NFC choice five times and selected to play in six Pro Bowls (1971, 1975–1979). And I’m not even a Cowboys fan. In fact, I hate the Cowboys. But I respect greatness. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2017, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/955 "2017-12-16T06:38:46Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > \*\*December 15, 1979: \*\*Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach starts his last regular season game, and retires. One of the all-time great QBs hangs up his cleats. Wikipedia: > > And I’m not even a Cowboys fan. In fact, I hate the Cowboys. But I respect greatness. > ETA: did I break an OP rule? Perhaps… No rules infraction at all. The challenge to me is to find an interesting event from history. While I always make sure I am posting on the anniversary day of the event in my time zone, I think finding something interesting, forgotten, or important is the key. I also appreciated Roger Staubach and I was never a Cowboys fan. But who isn’t a fan of truly great players? There are many good ones, but few greats like Staubach. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2017, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/956 "2017-12-16T07:16:43Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > No rules infraction at all. > > The challenge to me is to find an interesting event from history. While I always make sure I am posting on the anniversary day of the event in my time zone, I think finding something interesting, forgotten, or important is the key. > > I also appreciated Roger Staubach and I was never a Cowboys fan. But who isn’t a fan of truly great players? There are many good ones, but few greats like Staubach. Thanks. We ninja’d because my original post was the 15th, then I thought it broke the rules because someone else played for the 16th. And then when I double checked, Roger the Dodger’s last start was on the 16th so I changed the date. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2017, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/957 "2017-12-16T09:53:13Z")
**December 16, 1773:** The Boston Tea Party: Members of the Sons of Liberty disguised as Mohawk Indians dump hundreds of crates of tea into Boston harbor as a protest against the Tea Act. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2017, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/958 "2017-12-17T06:11:34Z")
**December 17, 1961** : [The Niteroi Circus Fire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niter%C3%B3i_circus_fire)in Brazil kills over 500, including many children. Blame for the fire has never been officially issued. This was the deadliest structural fire in Brazil’s history. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2017, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/959 "2017-12-18T05:53:28Z")
**December 18, 1796** : The [\*Courageux \*](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_ship_Courageux_(1753)&ved=2ahUKEwjbm5n37ZLYAhVFQCYKHcoWAMUQFjAEegQIBxAB&usg=AOvVaw2XFj2_Tk6a-ylpe4tUzybq)sinks off Gibraltar killing 464. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2017, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/960 "2017-12-18T10:20:07Z")
**December 18, 2016** : at age 99, Sári Gábor (Zsa Zsa Gabor) dies. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2017, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/961 "2017-12-19T07:11:12Z")
**December 19, 1907** : [The Darr Mine Disaster](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darr_Mine_disaster&ved=0ahUKEwjMgO7GwZXYAhVBRCYKHVp8AXsQFgiqATAZ&usg=AOvVaw1e6guMrBxvX65hEXOdTIRC) in Pennsylvania kills 239 miners. This is that state’s deadliest mine accident. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2017, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530/962 "2017-12-19T08:30:08Z")
**December 19, 1972** : Apollo 17, the last of the Apollo missions and to date the last men to leave Earth orbit (Commander Eugene Cernan, Command Module Pilot Ronald Evans, and Lunar Module Pilot Harrison Schmitt), returned to Earth. Apollo 17 was the first night launch of a U.S. human spaceflight and the final manned launch of a Saturn V rocket. Gene Cernan was the last man to stepon the Moon. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530.md?page=47) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-history/759530.md?page=49)