This Day In History, December 2nd.
Five Historical Events That Happened on December 2nd
Napoleon Bonaparte is crowned Emperor of France in Paris' Notre-Dame Cathedral in 1804.
President James Monroe issues the Monroe Doctrine, which asserts that any effort by European nations to occupy or intervene in the affairs of the Americas is considered hostile.
1942: At the University of Chicago, physicist Enrico Fermi leads a team of scientists in developing the world's first controlled nuclear chain reaction.
The United Arab Emirates is established in 1971 as a federation of seven emirates, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Enron Corporation, one of the world's largest energy firms, declares bankruptcy under Chapter 11 when its fraudulent accounting methods are revealed.
1804: Napoleon Bonaparte is crowned Emperor of France in Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.
Napoleon Bonaparte was crowned Emperor of France on December 2, 1804, at a grandiose ceremony at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. He had previously served as France's First Consul since 1799, and his coronation as Emperor marked the start of a new period in French history. Many notable figures attended the coronation, including Pope Pius VII, who traveled from Rome to perform the ceremony. The incident reflected Napoleon's ambition and quest for power, and it cemented his reputation as one of history's most significant people.
1823: President James Monroe declares the Monroe Doctrine, which states that any attempt by European powers to colonize or interfere in the affairs of the Americas would be viewed as a hostile act.
President James Monroe presented his annual speech to Congress on December 2, 1823, which included a declaration that became known as the Monroe Doctrine. The concept said that any attempt by European nations to colonize or intervene in the affairs of the Americas would be considered a hostile act by the US. It was designed to deter European meddling in newly independent Latin American countries that had recently gained independence from Spain. The Monroe Doctrine became a cornerstone of US foreign policy and was viewed as an assertion of US authority in the Western Hemisphere.
1942: Physicist Enrico Fermi leads a team of scientists in creating the world's first controlled nuclear chain reaction at the University of Chicago.
Enrico Fermi and a team of scientists at the University of Chicago created the world's first controlled nuclear chain reaction on December 2, 1942. The experiment was part of the Manhattan Project, the US government's covert research initiative to produce nuclear weapons during WWII. Fermi and his colleagues had built a "nuclear reactor," which utilized uranium to maintain a chain reaction. The experiment's success established the viability of utilizing nuclear fission as an energy source, paving the door for the creation of nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons.
1971: The United Arab Emirates is formed as a federation of seven emirates, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Argentina declared a state of emergency on December 1, 2001, and put limitations on bank withdrawals in an effort to avert a financial catastrophe. The country was in the grip of a severe economic crisis, marked by rising inflation, a depreciated currency, and a massive public debt. Because many people were unable to access their savings or conduct necessary financial transactions as a result of the government's decision to limit bank withdrawals, there were widespread protests and social unrest. The controversy eventually led to President Fernando de la Ra's resignation and the establishment of multiple temporary presidents. It also caused Argentina to experience several years of economic and political turmoil. Despite these obstacles, Argentina has made strides in addressing its economic problems.
In 2009, the Lisbon Treaty came into force, changing the structure and powers of the European Union. The treaty was signed by all EU member states except for the Czech Republic, and it aimed to make the EU more democratic and efficient.
Following the exposure of its fraudulent accounting practices, Enron Corporation, one of the world's largest energy companies, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States on December 2, 2001. The scandal shook the corporate world and resulted to the company's demise, which had been seen as an example of innovation and success. Enron had utilized a number of accounting gimmicks and deceptive methods to inflate its profitability and conceal its losses, costing investors and employees billions of dollars. The controversy prompted calls for increased openness and control in business, resulting in the enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which intended to strengthen corporate governance and responsibility.