Today in history on significant events, births and milestones on Dec. 14

Historic Events

Significant Events Today in History

• 1911 – Roald Amundsen Reaches the South Pole:
• Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen and his team became the first people to reach the South Pole, beating the British expedition led by Robert Falcon Scott. Amundsen’s success marked a major milestone in the era of polar exploration.
• 1799 – Death of George Washington:
• George Washington, the first President of the United States and commanding general during the American Revolutionary War, died at his Mount Vernon estate in Virginia at the age of 67.
• 1962 – Mariner 2 Arrives at Venus:
• NASA’s Mariner 2 became the first spacecraft to reach another planet, successfully flying by Venus and sending back valuable data about the planet’s atmosphere and surface.
• 1972 – Apollo 17 Astronauts Walk on the Moon:
• On this day, astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt began the final moonwalk of the Apollo program. Cernan remains the last human to set foot on the lunar surface.
• 2012 – Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting:
• A tragic mass shooting occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, resulting in the loss of 26 lives and sparking national debates on gun control and school safety.

Notable Births

• 1546 – Tycho Brahe:
• Danish astronomer renowned for his accurate and comprehensive astronomical observations that paved the way for future discoveries.
• 1895 – George VI:
• King of the United Kingdom from 1936 to 1952, who led Britain through World War II and was the father of Queen Elizabeth II.
• 1947 – Dilip Kumar:
• Legendary Indian film actor, acclaimed for his work in Bollywood cinema and honored with numerous awards throughout his career.
• 1946 – Patty Duke:
• Academy Award-winning American actress known for her roles in film, television, and stage, as well as her advocacy for mental health.

Other Milestones

• 1979 – “The Clash” Release London Calling:
• The influential British punk band “The Clash” released their iconic album “London Calling,” which became a landmark in rock music history.
• 1980 – U.S. and NATO Announce Boycott of Moscow Olympics:
• The United States and several NATO countries announced a boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympic Games in Moscow in protest of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

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