December 04
1783
George Washington delivered his farewell address to his officers at Fraunces Tavern in New York City.
1816
James Monroe of Virginia was elected (by electors) the fifth president of the United States.
1875
William Marcy “Boss” Tweed of New York’s Tammany Hall escaped from jail and fled the country.
1945
The Senate approved U.S. participation in the United Nations.
1978
Dianne Feinstein became San Francisco’s first female mayor.
1991
Associated Press correspondent Terry Anderson is released after seven years as a hostage in Lebanon.
1993
Rock musician and composer Frank Zappa died at age 52.
2003
Interpol put the former president of Liberia, Charles Taylor, on its most-wanted list.
Birthdays
Francisco Franco
1892–1975, Spanish general and leader.
John Cotton
clergyman (1584)
Thomas Carlyle
essayist, historian (1795)
Lillian Russell
soprano (1861)
Edith Cavell
nurse (1865)
Rainer Maria Rilke
poet (1875)
Dennis Wilson
pop musician (1944)
Jeff Bridges
actor (1949)
Jay-Z
rapper, producer (1969)
Tyra Banks
model (1973)