THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2011

Today is Thursday, December 15, the 349th day of 2011. There are 16 days left in the year.

1593 ― State of Holland grants patent on windmill with crankshaft

1612 ― Simon Marius is first to observe Andromeda galaxy through a telescope

1794 ― Revolutionary Tribunal abolished in France

1877 ― Thomas Edison patents phonograph

1891 ― James Naismith invents basketball (Canada)

1926 ― Fascist national symbol elevated in Italy

1939 ― First commercial manufacture of nylon yarn, Seaford, Del.

1970 ― Soviet Venera 7 is first spacecraft to land on another planet (Venus)

1970 ― South Korean ferry Namyong-ho sinks in Strait of Korea, 308 killed

1995 ― Playboy goes back on sale after 36 year ban in Ireland