December 5th, 2008

Today in History

1978:
The Soviet Union signs a 'friendship treaty' with the communist government of Afghanistan.

1945:
Flight 19, a United States Navy training flight was lost in the Bermuda Triangle.

1941:
The nonfiction book Sea of Cortez by John Steinbeck is published (Steinbeck used knowledge gained writing this book to develop the marine biologist character Doc in Cannery Row).

1934:
Italian troops attack Wal Wal in Ethiopia (it took four days to capture the city).

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