This Day In History, December 21st.
Five Historical Events That Happened on December 21st
Winter Solstice: December 21 commemorates the northern hemisphere's winter solstice and the southern hemisphere's summer solstice. It is the northern hemisphere's shortest day of the year in terms of daylight hours, and the southern hemisphere's longest day of the year.
Thomas Becket was born on December 21, 1118, and became Archbishop of Canterbury. He rose to become one of the most powerful men in the Catholic Church in England during the 12th century, but he was finally assassinated in Canterbury Cathedral by knights acting on King Henry II's instructions.
The Battle of Tuyut took place on December 21, 1868, between the Paraguayan and Brazilian troops during the Paraguayan War. It was one of the war's largest and deadliest conflicts, with tens of thousands killed on both sides.
The first crossword puzzle was published in the Sunday edition of the New York World newspaper on December 21, 1913. It was established by journalist Arthur Wynne and was an instant hit, propelling crossword puzzle popularity worldwide.
The Panama Canal Treaty was signed on December 21, 1977, between the United States and Panama, establishing the arrangements for the transfer of control of the canal from the United States to Panama. On December 31, 1999, the transfer was completed.
Winter Solstice: December 21 marks the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere and the summer solstice in the southern hemisphere. It is the shortest day of the year in terms of daylight hours in the northern hemisphere, and the longest day of the year in the southern hemisphere.
Captain John Smith led the Virginia Company voyage to the New World on December 20th, 1606, and landed at the location of present-day Jamestown, Virginia. The Virginia Company of London, which had been awarded a license by King James I to develop colonies in North America, sponsored the trip. Jamestown was the first permanent English settlement in the Americas, and it played an important part in the early history of the United States.
Birth of Thomas Becket: Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury, was born on December 21, 1118. He became one of the most influential figures in the Catholic Church in England during the 12th century, but he was eventually murdered in Canterbury Cathedral by knights who were allegedly acting on the orders of King Henry II.
Thomas Becket was born in London, England, on December 21, 1118. He was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his assassination in 1170. Becket was King Henry II's personal friend and counselor, but their relationship degenerated over the question of the Church's influence in England. Becket was banished to France for several years after opposing the king's attempts to limit the Church's authority. After his return to England, he was assassinated by four knights acting on the orders of King Henry II, who was fed up with Becket's opposition to his policies. The Catholic Church canonized Becket in 1173, and his shrine at Canterbury Cathedral became one of the most prominent pilgrimage sites in the world.
Battle of Tuyutí: On December 21, 1868, the Battle of Tuyutí was fought between the Paraguayan and Brazilian armies during the Paraguayan War. It was one of the largest and bloodiest battles of the war, with tens of thousands of casualties on both sides.
The Battle of Tuyut took place on December 21, 1868, near the Tuyut stream in Paraguay, as part of the Paraguayan War between Paraguay and an alliance of Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. It was one of the war's largest and deadliest conflicts, with tens of thousands killed on both sides. The fight was won by the Allied forces, who were able to breach Paraguayan lines and march farther into the country. The battle raged on for several more years, but the Battle of Tuyut was a watershed moment in the struggle. The Paraguayan War was one of the deadliest and most catastrophic conflicts in South American history, claiming up to 90% of Paraguay's male population.
First Crossword Puzzle: The first crossword puzzle was published on December 21, 1913, in the Sunday edition of the New York World newspaper. It was created by journalist Arthur Wynne and was an instant success, leading to the rise of crossword puzzle popularity around the world.
The first crossword puzzle was published in the Sunday edition of the New York World newspaper on December 21, 1913. It was invented by Arthur Wynne, a British journalist who went to America, and was originally known as a "Word-Cross" problem. The puzzle was an instant hit, and other publications quickly began incorporating their own versions of crossword puzzles. Crossword puzzles grew in popularity throughout the 1920s and 1930s, with puzzle books and periodicals following suit. Crossword puzzles are still a popular hobby today, and may be found in newspapers, journals, and puzzle books all around the world.
Signing of the Panama Canal Treaty: On December 21, 1977, the United States and Panama signed the Panama Canal Treaty, which established the terms for the transfer of control of the canal from the United States to Panama. The transfer was completed on December 31, 1999.
On December 21, 1977, US President Jimmy Carter and Panamanian President Omar Torrijos signed the Panama Canal Treaty. The treaty laid forth the arrangements for the progressive transfer of control of the Panama Canal from the United States to Panama, which was completed on December 31, 1999. The United States agreed to hand up management of the canal and the surrounding Canal Zone to Panama in exchange for the right to preserve the canal's neutrality and security. The pact was viewed as a key step in improving US ties with Latin America, as well as a crucial milestone in the history of the Panama Canal, which is one of the world's most important waterways.