December 5th, 2008

Today in History

1979:
Sonia Johnson is formally excommunicated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for her outspoken criticism of the church concerning the proposed Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

1974:
The last new episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus is broadcast on the BBC.

1936:
The Soviet Union adopts a new constitution.

1873:
In Boston, Massachusetts, Warren Avenue Baptist Church sexton Thomas Piper strangles and beats to death his first victim, Bridget Landregan (the press later dubbed the then unknown serial killer "The Boston Belfry Murderer").

1766:
In London, James Christie holds his first sale (he later founded Christie's, the world's oldest auction house).