This Week in History

December 22

Emma Wresch was born.

Rita Regan was born.

1864 – During the Civil War, Union general William T. Sherman sent a message to President Lincoln saying, “I beg to present you as a Christmas gift the city of Savannah.”

2010 – President Obama officially repealed the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” military policy.

December 23

Paul Thomas was born.

1823 – The poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (“‘Twas the night before Christmas”), written by either Clement C. Moore or Maj. Henry Livingston, Jr., was published in the Troy Sentinel of New York.

December 24

Ryan Atwood was born.

Elizabeth Gardner was born.

Steve Feuer was born

1814 – The War of 1812 between America and Britain ended with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent.

1943 – Gen. Dwight Eisenhower was appointed supreme commander of Allied Forces by Pres. Franklin Roosevelt.

December 25

Jesus was born.

Dorothy Dunne was born.

Kristen Brady was born.

1776 – George Washington crossed the Delaware River and surprised the Hessians.

December 26

Brian Boyle was born.

Nicole Frontera was born.

1865 – James H. Nason received a patent for a coffee percolator.

December 27

Sean Kelleher was born.

1979 – The Soviet Union took control of Afghanistan, installing Afghan politician Babrak Karmal as president.

2001 – The U.S. announced plans to hold Taliban and al-Qaeda prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

December 28

Marty Keating was born.

1832 – John C. Calhoun became the first vice president in U.S. history to resign from office.

1945 – Congress officially recognized the Pledge of Allegiance.

1981 – Elizabeth Jordan Carr, the first American test-tube baby, was born in Norfolk, Va.