December 4th, 2008

Today in History

1676:
Battle of Lund

1829:
In the face of fierce opposition, British Lord William Bentinck carries a regulation declaring that all who abetted suttee in India were guilty of culpable homicide.

1864:
At Waynesboro, Georgia, forces under Union General Judson Kilpatrick prevent troops led by Confederate General Joseph Wheeler from interfering with Union General William T. Sherman campaign of destroying a wide swath of the South on his march to the Gulf of Mexico (Union forces did suffer more than three times the casualties as the Confederates, however).

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

771:
Austrasian King Carloman dies, leaving his brother Charlemagne king of the now complete Frank kingdom.