December 4th, 2008

Today in History

1998:
The second module of the International Space Station, Unity, was launched.

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

1952:
Great Smog of 1952: A "killer fog" descends on London ("Smog" for "smoke" and "fog" becomes a word).

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.