This Day In History, December 19th.
Five Historical Events That Happened on December 19th
In 1732, Benjamin Franklin launched "Poor Richard's Almanack." This journal became well-known for its funny sayings and important information, and it contributed to Franklin's reputation as a major intellectual figure in colonial America.
The famous holiday narrative "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens was released in 1843. The narrative follows Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly businessman who is visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future and discovers the true meaning of Christmas.
In 1732, Benjamin Franklin launched "Poor Richard's Almanack." This journal became well-known for its funny sayings and important information, and it contributed to Franklin's reputation as a major intellectual figure in colonial America.
The famous holiday narrative "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens was released in 1843. The narrative follows Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly businessman who is visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future and discovers the true meaning of Christmas.
The House of Representatives impeached US President Bill Clinton on perjury and obstruction of justice accusations in 1998. The impeachment was the outcome of an investigation into Clinton's romance with White House intern Monica Lewinsky, and it triggered a months-long political fight. The Senate eventually acquitted Clinton.
1732: Benjamin Franklin began publishing "Poor Richard's Almanack." This publication became famous for its witty sayings and useful information, and it helped establish Franklin as a leading intellectual figure in colonial America.
"Poor Richard's Almanack" was an annual book written and published by Benjamin Franklin under the pen name "Richard Saunders" from 1732 until 1758. The almanac was loaded with Franklin's own proverbs and aphorisms, as well as practical advice, weather forecasts, and astronomical information. Some of his most famous quotes, including "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise," were first published in "Poor Richard's Almanack." The book was a big success, and it improved Franklin's status as a writer, inventor, and statesman.
1843: Charles Dickens' classic holiday story "A Christmas Carol" was published. The book tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly businessman who is visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future, and learns the true meaning of Christmas.
Charles Dickens' novella "A Christmas Carol" was originally published on December 19, 1843. The plot revolves around Ebenezer Scrooge, a bitter and miserly businessman who is visited by the spirit of his former business partner as well as the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. Scrooge is forced to confront the repercussions of his selfishness and cruelty as a result of these otherworldly visits, and he eventually learns the true meaning of Christmas and the value of compassion and giving. The story has become a beloved classic, with various adaptations into films, plays, and other works of art.
1946: War criminal and former Japanese Prime Minister Hideki Tojo attempted suicide by shooting himself in the chest. He survived the attempt and was later arrested, tried, and executed for his role in World War II.
Hideki Tojo was a commander in the Imperial Japanese Army who served as Japan's Prime Minister throughout the majority of World War II. Following Japan's surrender in 1945, the Allied powers arrested Tojo and charged him with war crimes, including ordering the attack on Pearl Harbor and supervising the use of chemical weapons against Chinese civilians. Tojo attempted suicide by shooting himself in the chest on December 19, 1946, while imprisoned and awaiting trial. He survived the assassination attempt and was eventually prosecuted, found guilty, and hanged on December 23, 1948. His trial and death were part of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, which was set up by the Allies to prosecute Japanese war criminals.
1972: The last American combat troops were withdrawn from Vietnam, effectively ending direct US involvement in the conflict. The Vietnam War had been a deeply divisive issue in American society, and the withdrawal marked the end of a long and costly chapter in American history.
The last American combat soldiers were removed from Vietnam on December 19, 1972, essentially ending direct US involvement in the conflict. The Vietnam War had been a very contentious topic in American culture, with many Americans protesting the war and pushing for American soldiers to be withdrawn. The departure marked the end of a long and expensive chapter in American history, with over 58,000 American soldiers dead and many more injured or traumatized by the conflict. The War also had a significant impact on Vietnamese society, with estimates ranging from 1 to 3 million Vietnamese citizens and troops murdered during the conflict. The war's legacy is still felt in both the United States and Europe.
1998: The House of Representatives impeached US President Bill Clinton on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice. The impeachment was the result of an investigation into Clinton's affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky, and it set off a contentious political battle that lasted for months. Clinton was ultimately acquitted by the Senate.
The United States House of Representatives impeached President Bill Clinton on accusations of perjury and obstruction of justice on December 19, 1998. An investigation into Clinton's romance with White House staffer Monica Lewinsky, as well as other claims of malfeasance, led to her impeachment. The impeachment sparked a months-long political debate in which Democrats and Republicans were strongly split over whether Clinton's conduct amounted to high crimes and misdemeanors. Clinton was cleared of the accusations against him in February 1999, following a Senate trial. The impeachment of President Clinton was just the second in US history, following Andrew Johnson's impeachment in 1868.