more events on December 23
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2002
An Iraqi MiG-25 shoots down a US MQ-1 Predator drone.
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1990
In a referendum on Slovenia’s independence from Yugoslovia, 88.5% vote in favor of independence.
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1986
The Voyager completes the first nonstop flight around the globe on one load of fuel. The experimental aircraft, piloted by Americans Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager, landed at Edwards Air Force Base in California after nine days and four minutes in the sky.
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1974
The B-1 bomber makes its first successful test flight.
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1967
U.S. Navy SEALs are ambushed during an operation southeast of Saigon.
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1953
Maria Vladimirovna, Grand Duchess of Russia.
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1952
William Kristol, American politician, journalist; founded The Weekly Standard, an influential neoconservative opinion publication.
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1950
General Walton H. Walker, the commander of the Eighth Army in Korea, is killed in a jeep accident. Lieutenant General Matthew B. Ridgeway is named his successor.
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1948
Japan’s Prime Minister, Hideki Tojo and six other collaborators are hanged for war crimes.
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1947
President Harry S Truman grants a pardon to 1,523 who had evaded the World War II draft.
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1944
US Army General Wesley Clark; while serving as Supreme Allied Commander Europe in NATO (1997–2000) he commanded Operation Allied Force in the Kosovo War.
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General Dwight D. Eisenhower confirms the death sentence of Private Eddie Slovik, the only American shot for desertion since the Civil War.
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1943
Queen Silvia of Sweden (born Silvia Renate Sommerlath); spouse of King Carl XVI Gustaf.
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1941
Despite throwing back an earlier Japanese amphibious assault, the U.S. Marines and Navy defenders on Wake Island capitulate to a second Japanese invasion.
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1940
Chiang Kai-shek dissolves all Communist associations in China.
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1939
The first Canadian troops arrive in Britain.
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1938
Bob Kahn, computer scientist and engineer; co-developed the Transmission Control Protocol that web browsers use to connect to servers on the World Wide Web.
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1937
London warns Rome to stop anti-British propaganda in Palestine.
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1935
Paul Hornung, pro football player; member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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1933
Emperor Akihito, Emperor of Japan. Broke with tradition by marrying Michiko Shoda, the first non-aristocrat to join the royal family.
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Pope Pius XI condemns the Nazi sterilization program.
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1921
President Warren G. Harding frees Socialist Eugene Debs and 23 other political prisoners.
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1919
Great Britain institutes a new constitution for India.
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1900
The Federal Party, which recognizes American sovereignty, is formed in the Philippines.
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1867
Madame C. J. Walker, first female African American millionaire.
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1861
Lord Lyons, The British minister to America presents a formal complaint to secretary of state, William Seward, regarding the Trent affair.
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1805
Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon Church.
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1790
Jean François Champollion, French founder of Egyptology who deciphered the Rosetta Stone.
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1777
Alexander I, czar of Russia.