December 27th, 2009

Today in History

1997:
Protestant paramilitary leader Billy Wright is assassinated in Northern Ireland.

1996:
Taliban forces retake the strategic Bagram air base which solidifies their buffer zone around Kabul.

1979:
The Soviet Union seizes control of Afghanistan and Babrak Karmal replaces overthrown and executed President Hafizullah Amin.

1949:
Indonesian National Revolution: Queen Juliana of the Netherlands grants Indonesia sovereignty.

1845:
Ether anesthetic is used for childbirth for the first time (Dr. Crawford Williamson Long in Jefferson, Georgia).