December 4th, 2008

Today in History

1981:
South Africa grants "homeland" Ciskei independence (not recognized outside South Africa).

1958:
Dahomey (present-day Benin) becomes a self-governing country within the French Community.

1943:
Great Depression ends in the United States: With unemployment figures falling fast due to World War II-related employment, US President Franklin D. Roosevelt closes the Works Progress Administration.

1875:
Notorious New York City politician Boss Tweed escapes from prison and flees to Cuba, then Spain.

1259:
Kings Louis IX of France and Henry III of England agree to the Treaty of Paris, in which Henry renounces his claims to French-controlled territory on continental Europe (including Normandy) in exchange for Louis withdrawing his support for English rebels.