1944: Battle of the Bulge begins
Nazi leader Adolf
Hitler orders a surprise attack on the Allied forces closing in along the
Western Front. The
German counteroffensive out of the densely wooded Ardennes region took
the Allies by surprise and created a bulge 60 miles deep into the front. Weather prevented the unleashing of the Allies' air superiority, and for several days Hitler's desperate gamble seemed to be paying off. However, the Americans kept up a fierce resistance, and on December 23 the skies cleared over the bulge. By January 21, the Germans had been pushed back to their original line, having lost some 120,000 men in the offensive. The Allies suffered 81,000 casualties, all but 4,000 of whom were Americans.
1998
USA & Britain combine bombing attacks on
Iraq after
United Nations weapons inspectors are expelled from the country-contrary to assurances given by Iraqi leader
Saddam Hussein. 1990
Haitians elect populist
priest Jean Bertrand Aristide as President in the country's first fully democratic election.
1955
In London, the officially opening of a new international airport at Heathrow.1944
American bandleader Glenn Miller is missing, presumed dead after his plane disappears while flying over the English Channel.1944
In
World War II, the start of what becomes known as the Battle of the Bulge. In a last attempt to avoid defeat, the Germans launch a surprise counter-offensive in the Ardennes. After its initial successes the attack falters.
1937
First performance in London of Noel Gay's 'Me And My Girl ' which introduces the world to the Lambeth Walk.1929
First all-talking feature film is made in Britain: ' The Clue of the New Pin.' starring a young
actor, John Guilgud, as the villain.
1917
An explosion at Halifax Harbour in Nova Scotia leaves almost 6,000 injured.1907
In a deliberate show of strength, an American fleet of 16 battleships departs on a round-the-world tour.1893
In Britain, the completion of the Manchester Ship Canal.1850
The first immigrant ship, the 'Charlotte Jane', arrives at Lyttelton in
New Zealand. 1809
By an act of the French Senate, Emperor
Napoleon Bonaparte is divorced from his wife Josephine.
1773
The infamous
Boston Tea Party - in which 150 'Sons of Liberty' - American colonists dressed as Red Indians - protest against British imposed taxes by
throwing fully-laden tea chests into the harbour at Boston.
1653
In England,
Oliver Cromwell pronounces himself Lord Protector - a position he holds for the next four years.
1620
Pilgrim Fathers in their ship the
Mayflower, arrive in Massachusetts.
1577
Danzig surrenders to the King of
Poland. 
