Slideshow: Today In History, Dec. 31
Today is Wednesday, Dec. 31.
Today's Highlight in History:
1879: Thomas Edison
In 1879, Thomas Edison first publicly demonstrated his electric incandescent light in Menlo Park, New Jersey.
1909: Manhattan Bridge
In 1909, the Manhattan Bridge, spanning the East River between Manhattan and Brooklyn, was officially opened to vehicular traffic.
1969: Joseph A. Yablonski
In 1969, Joseph A. Yablonski, an unsuccessful candidate for the presidency of the United Mine Workers of America, was shot to death with his wife and daughter in their Clarksville, Pennsylvania, home by hitmen acting at the orders of UMWA president Tony Boyle.
1972: Roberto Clemente
In 1972, Major League baseball player Roberto Clemente, 38, was killed when a plane he'd chartered and was traveling on to bring relief supplies to earthquake-devastated Nicaragua crashed shortly after takeoff from Puerto Rico.
1985: Rick Nelson
In 1985, singer Rick Nelson, 45, and six other people were killed when fire broke out aboard a DC-3 that was taking the group to a New Year's Eve performance in Dallas.
1999: Boris Yeltsin
In 1999, Russian President Boris Yeltsin announced his resignation (he was succeeded by Vladimir Putin).
2009: Espoo, Finland
Five years ago: A lone gunman dressed in black killed five people in Espoo, Finland, four of them at a crowded shopping mall, before returning home and taking his own life.
2004: "Taipei 101"
Ten years ago: Taiwan celebrated the official opening of what was then the world's tallest skyscraper, known as "Taipei 101."
Birthday: Anthony Hopkins
Actor Sir Anthony Hopkins is 77.
Birthday: Gong Li
Actress Gong Li is 49.
Birthday: Paul Westerberg
Singer Paul Westerberg is 55.
Birthday: Tim Matheson
Tim Matheson is 67.
Birthday: PSY
Rapper PSY (Park Jae-sang) is 37.
Birthday: Val Kilmer
Actor Val Kilmer is 55.
Birthday: Ben Kingsley
Actor Sir Ben Kingsley is 71.
Birthday: Diane von Furstenberg
Fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg is 68.
Birthday: Lance Reddick
Actor Lance Reddick is 45.
Birthday: Taylor Hackford
Producer-director Taylor Hackford is 70.
Birthday: Gabby Douglas
Olympic gold medal gymnast Gabby Douglas is 19.
Birthday: Scott Ian
Rock musician Scott Ian (Anthrax) is 51.
Birthday: Bebe Neuwirth
Actress Bebe Neuwirth is 56.
Birthday: Nicholas Sparks
Author Nicholas Sparks is 49.
Birthday: George Schlatter
TV producer George Schlatter is 85.
Birthday: Andy Summers
Rock musician Andy Summers is 72.
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