Slideshow: Today In History, Dec. 22
Today is Monday, Dec. 22.
Today's Highlight in History:
1864: William T. Sherman
In 1864, during the Civil War, Union Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman said in a message to President Abraham Lincoln: "I beg to present you as a Christmas-gift the city of Savannah."
1894: Alfred Dreyfus
In 1894, French army officer Alfred Dreyfus was convicted of treason in a court-martial that triggered worldwide charges of anti-Semitism. (Dreyfus was eventually vindicated.)
1944: U.S. Brig. Gen. Anthony C. McAuliffe
On Dec. 22, 1944, during the World War II Battle of the Bulge, U.S. Brig. Gen. Anthony C. McAuliffe (third from right) rejected a German demand for surrender, writing "Nuts!" in his official reply.
1968: Julie Nixon & David Eisenhower
In 1968, Julie Nixon married David Eisenhower in a private ceremony in New York.
1984: Bernhard Goetz
In 1984, New York City resident Bernhard Goetz shot and wounded four youths on a Manhattan subway, claiming they were about to rob him.
1989: Samuel Beckett
In 1989, Playwright Samuel Beckett died in Paris at age 83.
1989: Nicolae Ceausescu
In 1989, Romanian President Nicolae Ceausescu, the last of Eastern Europe's hard-line Communist rulers, was toppled from power in a popular uprising.
2001: Richard C. Reid
In 2001, Richard C. Reid, a passenger on an American Airlines flight from Paris to Miami, tried to ignite explosives in his shoes, but was subdued by flight attendants and fellow passengers. (Reid is serving a life sentence in federal prison.)
2009: Ndamukong Suh
Five years ago: Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh became the first defensive player voted The Associated Press College Football Player of the Year.
2013: Barack Obama
One year ago: President Barack Obama and the vacationing first family temporarily skipped the beach in Hawaii to attend the Oregon State-Akron game at the Diamond Head Classic tournament in Honolulu. (Oregon State, coached by first lady Michelle Obama's brother, Craig Robinson, lost to Akron, 83-71.)
2013: Mikhail Khodorkovsky
One year ago: Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the Russian oligarch who'd crossed President Vladimir Putin and ended up in jail for 10 years, told a press conference in Berlin that he planned to devote his life to securing the release of the country's political prisoners.
Birthday: Meghan Trainor
Pop singer Meghan Trainor is 21.
Birthday: Rick Nielsen
Rock singer-musician Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick) is 66.
Birthday: Luther "Luke" Campbell
Rapper Luther "Luke" Campbell is 54.
Birthday: Diane Sawyer
Former ABC News anchor Diane Sawyer is 69.
Birthday: Hector Elizondo
Actor Hector Elizondo is 78.
Birthday: Paul Wolfowitz
Former World Bank Group President Paul Wolfowitz is 71.
Birthday: Steve Carlton
Baseball Hall-of-Famer Steve Carlton is 70.
Birthday: Ralph Fiennes
Actor Ralph Fiennes is 52.
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Thursday's news: What you missed while you were at work.
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