GMT

Today in History December 26

1492
1st Spanish settlement La Navidad in the New World is founded by Christopher Columbus (modern Môle-Saint-Nicolas in Haiti)

1776
After crossing the Delaware River into New Jersey, George Washington leads an attack on Hessian mercenaries at Trenton, and takes 900 men prisoner.

1862
38 Santee Sioux are hanged in Mankato, Minnesota for their part in the Sioux Uprising in Minnesota. Little Crow has fled the state.

1917
As a wartime measure, President Woodrow Wilson places railroads under government control, with Secretary of War William McAdoo as director general.

1932
Over 70,000 people are killed in a massive earthquake in China.

1944
Battle of Bastogne: US General George S. Patton's 3rd Army repulses German forces

1962
Eight East Berliners escape to West Berlin, crashing through gates in an armor-plated bus.

1982
TIME's Man of the Year is a computer

2004
A tsunami caused by a 9.3-magnitude earthquake kills more than 230,000 along the rim of the Indian Ocean.

2012
China opens the world’s longest high speed rail route from Beijing to Guangzhou

2018
American Colin O'Brady is the first person to cross Antarctica solo and unassisted after 54 days at the Ross Ice Shelf

Born on December 26

1945
John Walsh, TV personality, victims rights advocate; created of America's Most Wanted TV series after the murder of his son Adam in 1981.

2000
Samuel Sevian, chess prodigy; at age 12 became youngest-ever United States International Master.


JOTD

A woman walked up to an elderly man rocking in a chair on his porch.
“I couldn’t help noticing how happy you look,” she said. “What’s your secret for a long, happy life?”
“I smoke three packs of cigarettes a day,” he said. “I also drink a case of whiskey a week, eat fatty foods and never exercise.”
“That’s amazing,” the woman said. “How old are you?”
“Thirty-six.”