1979
Soviet troops invaded Afghanistan in support of the country’s Marxist government.
1970
Walt Disney’s “Aristocats” is released.
1948
For the first time ever, a midnight Mass was broadcast on television. It was held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.
1893
Henry Ford completes his first useful petrol / gasoline fuelled engine
1871
Giusseppi Verdi’s “Aida” opera premieres in Cairo.
1865
Several veterans of the Confederate Army formed a private social club in Pulaski, TN, called the Ku Klux Klan.
1818
Franz Gruber of Oberndorf, Germany composed the music for “Silent Night” to words written by Josef Mohr.
1642
Sieur de Maisonneuve climbs Mount Royal and plants a cross on the summit.