Today in History

Historical Events

2010

Last episode of Larry King Live aired. After 25 years of being on TV, the last episode of Larry King Live, one of CNN's most watched TV program was aired. While the official end date for the talk show was December 16, an episode on cancer was aired two days later on December 18. It was replaced by Piers Morgan Tonight.

1991

Kazakhstan independence. The Central Asian country was the last Soviet republic to declare its independence.

1971

End of Indo-Pakistani War. The third major conflict between the two countries was fought because of India's support of Bangladesh's War of Liberation. The war ended only after 13 days and with the creation of the independent state of Bangladesh.

1773

Boston Tea Party. Considered as one of the key events in the American Revolution, the Tea Party occurred when protesters in Boston, a territory controlled by the British, dumped heavily taxed British tea into Boston Harbor.

1707

Last eruption of Mount Fuji. The highest volcano in Japan erupted for the last time in what is known as the Hōei Eruption. The eruption lasted for 17 days.

Famous Births

Born on this day

Arthur C. Clarke

Arthur C. Clarke

1917

English author

Margaret Mead

Margaret Mead

1901

American anthropologist

Wassily Kandinsky

Wassily Kandinsky

1866

Russian/French painter

Jane Austen

Jane Austen

1775

English author

Catherine of Aragon

Catherine of Aragon

1485

Famous Deaths

Died on this day

Sylvester

Sylvester

1988

American singer-songwriter, pianist, producer

Colonel Sanders

Colonel Sanders

1980

American businessman, founded KFC

W. Somerset Maugham

W. Somerset Maugham

1965

French/English author, playwright

Afonso de Albuquerque

Afonso de Albuquerque

1515

Portuguese Admiral