Today in History: Dec. 21

Washington Redskins head coach Vince Lombardi voices his opinion about a play from the sidelines where he made his regular season debut with the team in New Orleans, La., Sept. 21, 1969. Lombardi's expression later changed to a smile as the Redskins beat the New Orleans Saints 26-20. (AP Photo)

Today is Friday, Dec. 21, the 355th day of 2018. Winter arrives at 5:23 p.m. Eastern time.

Today’s Highlight in History:

On Dec. 21, 1891, the first basketball game, devised by James Naismith, is believed to have been played at the International YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts. (The final score of this experimental game: 1-0.)

Pilgrim tercentenary issue was issued in 1923. The 1 cent denomination pictures the Mayflower crossing the Atlantic on its way to Plymouth, Mass.
In 1620, Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower went ashore for the first time at present-day Plymouth, Massachusetts. Pilgrim tercentenary issue was issued in 1923. The 1 cent denomination pictures the Mayflower crossing the Atlantic on its way to Plymouth, Mass. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/MikeRega)
Gen. William T. Sherman inspects battlements at Atlanta in 1864 prior to his March to the Sea during the American Civil War. After his capture of Atlanta, Sherman went on to capture Savannah and divide the Confederate States of America. (AP Photo)
In 1864, during the Civil War, Union forces led by Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman concluded their “March to the Sea” as they captured Savannah, Georgia. Here, Sherman inspects battlements at Atlanta in 1864 prior to his March to the Sea. (AP Photo)
A detailed view of the 20-foot wide by 9-feet high large colorful billboard of the 1937 release of the animated film “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” Monday, July 14, 2014, in Dallas, Texas. The billboard features three scenes, with the main one showing a rosy-cheeked Snow White in front of a castle in her classic outfit with a bright yellow skirt, surrounded by the dwarfs and other characters from the film. Heritage Auctions said the rare billboard is expected to sell for at least $10,000 on Saturday, July 20, 2014, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
In 1937, Walt Disney’s first animated feature, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” had its world premiere in Los Angeles. Seen here is a detailed view of the 20-foot wide by 9-feet high large colorful billboard of the 1937 release of the animated film “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” Monday, July 14, 2014, in Dallas, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
In this photo provided by the U.S. Army Signal Corps Maj. General George S. Patton is pictured, circa 1940s. (AP Photo/U.S. Army Signal Corps)
In 1945, U.S. Army Gen. George S. Patton, 60, died in Heidelberg, Germany, 12 days after being seriously injured in a car accident. Patton is pictured circa 1940s. (AP Photo/U.S. Army Signal Corps)
The Earth shines over the horizon of the Moon in this Dec. 24, 1968 photo shot by the astronauts on Apollo 8.  Apollo 8 was launched from Cape Canaveral on Dec. 21, 1968.  (AP Photo)
In 1968, Apollo 8 was launched on a mission to orbit the moon.   The Earth shines over the horizon of the Moon in this Dec. 24, 1968 photo shot by the astronauts on Apollo 8. (AP Photo)
Washington Redskins head coach Vince Lombardi voices his opinion about a play from the sidelines where he made his regular season debut with the team in New Orleans, La., Sept. 21, 1969. Lombardi's expression later changed to a smile as the Redskins beat the New Orleans Saints 26-20. (AP Photo)
In 1969, Vince Lombardi coached his last football game as his team, the Washington Redskins, lost to the Dallas Cowboys, 20-10. Washington Redskins head coach Vince Lombardi voices his opinion about a play from the sidelines where he made his regular season debut with the team in New Orleans, La., Sept. 21, 1969. Lombardi’s expression later changed to a smile as the Redskins beat the New Orleans Saints 26-20. (AP Photo)
On Dec. 21, 1988, Pan Am Flight 103 from London's Heathrow International Airport to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport was destroyed and the remains landed in and around the town of Lockerbie, Scotland. Forensic experts determined that plastic explosive had been detonated in the Boeing 747-121 forward cargo hold. The death toll was 270 people from 21 countries, including 11 people in the town of Lockerbie. (Ap Photo)
In 1988, 270 people were killed when a terrorist bomb exploded aboard a Pan Am Boeing 747 over Lockerbie, Scotland, sending wreckage crashing to the ground.  (AP Photo)
(1/7)
Pilgrim tercentenary issue was issued in 1923. The 1 cent denomination pictures the Mayflower crossing the Atlantic on its way to Plymouth, Mass.
Gen. William T. Sherman inspects battlements at Atlanta in 1864 prior to his March to the Sea during the American Civil War. After his capture of Atlanta, Sherman went on to capture Savannah and divide the Confederate States of America. (AP Photo)
A detailed view of the 20-foot wide by 9-feet high large colorful billboard of the 1937 release of the animated film “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” Monday, July 14, 2014, in Dallas, Texas. The billboard features three scenes, with the main one showing a rosy-cheeked Snow White in front of a castle in her classic outfit with a bright yellow skirt, surrounded by the dwarfs and other characters from the film. Heritage Auctions said the rare billboard is expected to sell for at least $10,000 on Saturday, July 20, 2014, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
In this photo provided by the U.S. Army Signal Corps Maj. General George S. Patton is pictured, circa 1940s. (AP Photo/U.S. Army Signal Corps)
The Earth shines over the horizon of the Moon in this Dec. 24, 1968 photo shot by the astronauts on Apollo 8.  Apollo 8 was launched from Cape Canaveral on Dec. 21, 1968.  (AP Photo)
Washington Redskins head coach Vince Lombardi voices his opinion about a play from the sidelines where he made his regular season debut with the team in New Orleans, La., Sept. 21, 1969. Lombardi's expression later changed to a smile as the Redskins beat the New Orleans Saints 26-20. (AP Photo)
On Dec. 21, 1988, Pan Am Flight 103 from London's Heathrow International Airport to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport was destroyed and the remains landed in and around the town of Lockerbie, Scotland. Forensic experts determined that plastic explosive had been detonated in the Boeing 747-121 forward cargo hold. The death toll was 270 people from 21 countries, including 11 people in the town of Lockerbie. (Ap Photo)

On this date:

In 1620, Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower went ashore for the first time at present-day Plymouth, Massachusetts.

In 1864, during the Civil War, Union forces led by Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman concluded their “March to the Sea” as they captured Savannah, Georgia.

In 1913, the first newspaper crossword puzzle, billed as a “Word-Cross Puzzle,” was published in the New York World.

In 1937, Walt Disney’s first animated feature, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” had its world premiere at the Carthay Circle Theater in Los Angeles. The first Dr. Seuss book, “And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street,” was published by Vanguard Press.

In 1945, U.S. Army Gen. George S. Patton, 60, died in Heidelberg, Germany, 12 days after being seriously injured in a car accident.

In 1967, Louis Washkansky, the first human heart transplant recipient, died at a hospital in Cape Town, South Africa, 18 days after receiving the donor organ. The satirical comedy-drama “The Graduate,” starring Anne Bancroft and Dustin Hoffman, was released by Embassy Pictures.

In 1968, Apollo 8 was launched on a mission to orbit the moon.

In 1969, Vince Lombardi coached his last football game as his team, the Washington Redskins, lost to the Dallas Cowboys, 20-10.

In 1976, the Liberian-registered tanker Argo Merchant broke apart near Nantucket Island off Massachusetts almost a week after running aground, spilling 7.5 million gallons of oil into the North Atlantic.

In 1988, 270 people were killed when a terrorist bomb exploded aboard a Pam Am Boeing 747 over Lockerbie, Scotland, sending wreckage crashing to the ground.

In 1991, eleven of the 12 former Soviet republics proclaimed the birth of the Commonwealth of Independent States and the death of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

In 2002, President George W. Bush received a smallpox vaccination, fulfilling a promise he’d made when he ordered inoculations for about a-half million U.S. troops.

Ten years ago: A multi-faith ceremony was held to mark the reopening of Mumbai, India’s Oberoi hotel three weeks after it was targeted in a militant rampage. Detroit became the first 0-15 team when it was routed 42-7 by the New Orleans Saints. Playwright Dale Wasserman, who’d written the book for the Tony-winning musical “Man of La Mancha,” died in Paradise Valley, Ariz. at age 94.

Five years ago: Director of National Intelligence James Clapper declassified more documents outlining how the National Security Agency was first authorized to start collecting bulk phone and Internet records in the hunt for al-Qaida terrorists and how a court eventually gained oversight of the program. Gunfire hit three U.S. military aircraft trying to evacuate American citizens in a remote region of South Sudan that had become a battleground between the country’s military and renegade troops. Edgar M. Bronfman Sr., 84, the billionaire businessman and longtime president of the World Jewish Congress, died in New York.

One year ago: The U.N. General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to denounce President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, largely ignoring Trump’s threat to cut off aid to any country that went against him. Vice President Mike Pence arrived in Afghanistan for a secret meeting with Afghan leaders and a visit with U.S. troops. Papa John’s announced that founder John Schnatter would step down as CEO; the company had apologized for his comments criticizing the NFL leadership over protests by players who knelt during the national anthem.

Copyright © 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up