Abolitionism

Timeline: The Abolition of the Slave Trade

William Wilberforce waged a long campaign to convince Britain to abolish the slave trade.

Today in History: Born on December 6

1718

Israel Putnam, American Revolutionary War hero.

1745

Etienne Montgolfier, French inventor who, with his brother, launched the first successful hot-air balloon.

1800

Millard Fillmore, 13th President of the United States.

1845

Louis III, last King of Bavaria.

1911

Butterfly McQueen (Thelma McQueen), actress best known for her role as Scarlett O'Hara's maid Prissy in Gone with the Wind (1939); won Daytime Emmy portraying Aunt Thelma, a fairy godmother in "The Seven Wishes of Joanna Peabody," an ABC Afterschool Special.

1912

Charles Addams, cartoonist, creator of the Addams Family.

1922

Jean-Pierre Rampal, flautist.

1930

Jack Greene, country singer, musician; won Country Music Association Male Vocalist of the Year, Single of the Year, Album of the Year and Song of the Year for "There Goes My Everything" (1967).