Slideshow: Today In History, Dec. 17
Today is Wednesday, Dec. 17.
Today's Highlight in History:
1903: Wilbur & Orville Wright
On Dec. 17, 1903, Wilbur and Orville Wright of Dayton, Ohio, conducted the first successful manned powered-airplane flights near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, using their experimental craft, the Wright Flyer.
Photo: Ray Illingworth
1939: Admiral Graf Spee
In 1939, the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee was scuttled by its crew, ending the World War II Battle of the River Plate off Uruguay.
1989: "The Simpsons"
In 1989, the animated TV series "The Simpsons" premiered on Fox with a Christmas-themed episode.
2011: Kim Jong Il
In 2011, North Korean leader Kim Jong Il died after more than a decade of iron rule; he was 69, according to official records, but some reports indicated he was 70.
2013: Angela Merkel
One year ago: Germany's Parliament elected Chancellor Angela Merkel to a third term as the leader of Europe's biggest economic power, nearly three months after an awkward election result forced her to put together a new governing coalition.
Birthday: Peter Farrelly
Producer-director-writer Peter Farrelly is 58.
Birthday: Chris Matthews
Political commentator Chris Matthews is 69.
Birthday: Wes Studi
Actor Wes Studi is 67.
Birthday: Armin Mueller-Stahl
Actor Armin Mueller-Stahl is 84.
Birthday: Eugene Levy
Comedian-actor Eugene Levy is 68.
Birthday: Bill Pullman
Actor Bill Pullman is 61.
Birthday: Nat Wolff
Actor-singer Nat Wolff is 20.
Birthday: Mike Mills
Rock musician Mike Mills (R.E.M.) is 56.
Birthday: Giovanni Ribisi
Actor Giovanni Ribisi is 40.
Birthday: Pope Francis
Pope Francis is 78.
Birthday: Ernie Hudson
Actor Ernie Hudson is 69.
Birthday: Milla Jovovich
Actress Milla Jovovich is 39.
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