December 4th, 2008

Today in History

1993:
A truce is concluded between the government of Angola and UNITA rebels.

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

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).

1674:
Father Jacques Marquette founds a mission on the shores of Lake Michigan to minister to the Illinois Indians (the mission would later grow into the city of Chicago, Illinois).

1110:
First Crusade: The Crusaders conquer Sidon.