December 17th

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The beginning of the Arab Spring. The multi-country protests and demands for change in the Arab world are thought to have begun with street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi's self-immolation in Tunisia. Bouazizi's attempt and death 18 days later was the catalyst for the Tunisian Revolution which forced then-president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to step down from his post.

President George W. Bush acknowledged he'd personally authorized a secret eavesdropping program in the U.S. following Sept. 11.

President George W. Bush signed into law the largest overhaul of U.S. intelligence-gathering in 50 years.

Kofi Annan of Ghana became United Nations secretary-general.

President George H.W. Bush, Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and Mexican President Carlos Salinas de Gortari signed the North American Free Trade Agreement in separate ceremonies.

First episode of The Simpsons aired. The popular American animated series directed by Matt Groening is set in the fictional town of Springfield and it follows the life of the Simpson family.

Mrs Davina Thompson makes medical history by having the 1st heart, lung & liver transplant at Papworth Hospital in Cambridge, England.

Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme was sentenced to life in prison for her attempt on the life of President Gerald R. Ford. (She was paroled in 2009.).

The U.S. Air Force closed its Project "Blue Book" by concluding there was no evidence of extraterrestrial spaceships behind thousands of UFO sightings.

The United States successfully test-fired the Atlas intercontinental ballistic missile for the first time.

The U.S. Army announced the end of its policy of holding Japanese-Americans in internment camps, allowing 'evacuees' to return home.

In the first NFL championship game, the Chicago Bears defeated the New York Giants 23-21 at Wrigley Field.

First flight of the Wright Flyer. The powered aircraft was made by the Wright brothers and was the first such aircraft to take flight.

Discovery of the Aztec calendar stone. Also known as the Stone of the Five Eras, the sculpture was excavated in Mexico City.

Russian army of Grigory Potemkin occupies Ocharov.

France recognized American independence.

Pope Clemens VII publishes degree Cum ad zero - forms Inquisition.

Timur (Tamerlane) captures and sacks Delhi, defeating Sultan Nasir-u Din Mehmud's armies which include elephants.