THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

Today is Thursday, December 27, the 362nd day of 2012. There are four days in the year.

1825 ― First public railroad using steam locomotive completed in England

1831 ― Darwin begins his voyage to South America on board the HMS Beagle

1934 ― Shah of Persia declares Persia now Iran

1941 ― Japan bombs Manila even though it was declared an "open city"

1942 ― First Japanese women camp (Ambarawa) goes into use

1945 ― International Monetary Fund established; World Bank founded

1970 ― "Hello, Dolly!" closes at St. James Theater NYC after 2,844 performances

1972 ― New North Korean constitution comes into effect

1979 ― Soviet troops invade Afghanistan, President Hafizullah Amin overthrown

1993 ― Dow-Jones hits record 3,792.93