Flashback
Today is Saturday, Dec. 31, the 365th and final day of 2005.
Today’s highlight in history: On Dec. 31, 1879, Thomas Edison first publicly demonstrated his electric incandescent light in New Jersey.
Ten years ago: U.S. tank platoons crossed a just-completed pontoon bridge from Croatia to their peacekeeping mission in Bosnia.
Five years ago: The United States finally agreed to sign a treaty creating the world’s first permanent international war crimes tribunal, joining most other countries of the world. Former U.S. Sen. Alan Cranston died in Los Altos, Calif., at age 86. Flemenco dancer Jose Greco died in Lancaster, Pa., at age 82.
One year ago: President Bush pledged $350 million to help tsunami victims, and didn’t rule out sending even more U.S. aid to help people recover from what he called an “epic disaster.” Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych resigned, acknowledging that he had little hope of reversing the presidential election victory of his Western-leaning rival, Viktor Yushchenko.
On this date:
In 1775, the British repulsed an attack by Continental Army generals Richard Montgomery and Benedict Arnold at Quebec; Montgomery was killed.
In 1862, President Lincoln signed an act admitting West Virginia to the Union.
In 1877, President and Mrs. Hayes celebrated their silver anniversary (actually, a day late) by re-enacting their wedding ceremony in the White House.
In 1905, 100 years ago, Broadway composer Jule Styne was born in London.
In 1946, President Truman officially proclaimed the end of hostilities in World War II.
In 1961, the Marshall Plan expired after distributing more than $12 billion in foreign aid.
In 1974, private U.S. citizens were allowed to buy and own gold for the first time in more than 40 years.
In 1980, Canadian communications theorist Marshall McLuhan died at age 69.
In 1985, singer Rick Nelson, 45, and six other people were killed when fire broke out aboard a DC-3 that was taking the group to a New Year’s Eve performance in Dallas.
In 1986, 97 people were killed when fire broke out in the Dupont Plaza Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico. (Three hotel workers later pleaded guilty to charges in connection with the blaze.)