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1989
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1879
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more events on December 18
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2010
In an opening act of Arab Spring, anti-government protests erupt in Tunisia.
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2008
United Arab Emirates holds it first-ever elections.
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2005
Civil war begins in Chad with a rebel assault on Adre; the rebels are believed to be backed by Chad’s neighbor, Sudan.
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2002
California Gov. Gray Davis announces the state faces a record budget deficit; the looming $35 billion shortfall is almost double the amount reported a month earlier during the state’s gubernatorial campaign.
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1989
The European Economic Community and the Soviet Union sign an agreement on trade and economic communication.
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1978
Katie Holmes, actress (Dawson’s Creek TV series, Batman Begins).
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1972
President Richard M. Nixon declares that the bombing of North Vietnam will continue until an accord can be reached (Operation Linebacker II).
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1970
An atomic leak in Nevada forces hundreds of citizens to flee the test site.
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1965
U.S. Marines attack VC units in the Que Son Valley during Operation Harvest Moon.
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1963
Brad Pitt, actor (12 Monkeys, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button).
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1960
A rightist government is installed under Prince Boun Oum in Laos as the United States resumes arms shipments.
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1956
Japan is admitted to the United Nations.
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1951
North Koreans give the United Nations a list of 3,100 POWs.
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1946
Steven Spielberg, film director (E.T., Jurassic Park, and Schindler’s List).
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1944
Japanese forces are repelled from northern Burma by British troops.