December 3rd, 2008

Today in History

1917:
After nearly 20 years of planning and construction, the Quebec Bridge opens to traffic (the bridge partially collapsed on August 29, 1907 and September 11, 1916).

1936:
Radio station WQXR is officially founded

1818:
Illinois becomes the 21st U.S. state

1989:
Cold War: In a meeting off the coast of Malta, US President George H. W. Bush and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev release statements indicating that the cold war between their nations may be coming to an end (some commentators from both nations exaggerated the wording and independently declared the Cold War over).

1925:
George Gershwin's Piano Concerto in F is premiered at Carnegie Hall.