December 31
1879
Thomas Edison gave the first public demonstration of an electric incandescent lamp.
1938
The first breath test for drivers, “drunkometer,” was introduced in Indianapolis.
1946
President Truman officially proclaimed the end of hostilities in World War II.
1961
The Marshall Plan expired after distributing more than $12 billion in foreign aid.
1963
Central African Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland was formally dissolved.
1964
The al-Fatah guerrillas of Yasser Arafat launched their first terrorist raid on Israel.
1987
Robert Mugabe sworn in as Zimbabwe’s president.
Birthdays
Henri Matisse
Pronunciation: [äNrE´ mätEs´]
1869–1954, French Artist.
Jacques Cartier
explorer (1491)
Charles Cornwallis
general (1738)
Elizabeth Arden
beautician, business executive (1878)
George C. Marshall
general and cabinet member (1880)
Simon Wiesenthal
writer, activist (1908)
Anthony Hopkins
actor (1937)
John Denver
entertainer (1943)
Connie Willis
writer (1945)
Gong Li
actor (1965)