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
George Armstrong Custer
1839–1876, American military officer.
Born in New Rumley, Ohio; graduated from West Point, 1861.
Martin Van Buren
8th U.S. president (1782)
Christina Rossetti
poet (1830)
Bill Pickett
cowboy, rodeo star (1870)
Walt Disney
film producer (1901)
Strom Thurmond
U.S. senator (1902)
Otto Preminger
director, producer (1906)
Little Richard
musician (1932)
Joan Didion
writer (1934)
Frankie Muniz
actor (1985)