This Week in History (12/12)

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A scene from the 1966 version of “How The Grinch Stole Christmas!” (Warner Bros.)

Ryan Rose, Co-Editor

December 12th, 2000

The Supreme Court decided that George W. Bush should be given the presidency after determining that there was not enough time to perform a recount of disputed votes in Florida before Inauguration Day. Al Gore had won the popular vote, but the Electoral College ended up tipping the election to Bush thanks to just 500 deciding votes in Florida. 

December 13th, 2003

In the midst of the Iraq War, the president of Iraq, Saddam Hussein, was captured by US forces. Just three years later, he would be found guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death.

December 14th, 1993

The first major film to address the AIDS crisis, Philadelphia, was released. The movie starred Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington; Hanks would go on to win an Oscar for his portrayal of lawyer Andrew Beckett.

December 15th, 1791

The first 10 amendments to the US Constitution were adopted. They are known as the Bill of Rights and provide many of the freedoms that Americans today hold most dear. 

December 16th, 1773

American colonists dumped British Tea into the Boston Harbor in protest of high tea taxes from the British government. This became known as the Boston Tea Party. 

December 17th, 1903

The Wright Brothers flew the first airplane after 4 years of research and development. The plane successfully flew for 12 seconds and traveled a total of 120 feet.

December 18th, 1966

How The Grinch Stole Christmas! aired as a TV special for the first time. The animated special was based on the children’s book of the same name by Dr. Seuss and several adaptations have been made of the work since.