TUESDAY, Dec. 05, 2023

1456 — Earthquake strikes Naples; about 35,000 die

1492 — Columbus discovers Hispaniola (El Espanola/Haiti)

1846 — C F Schoenbein obtains patent for cellulose nitrate explosive

1854 — Aaron Allen of Boston patents folding theater chair

1893 — First electric car (built in Toronto) could go 15 miles between charges

1908 — First football uniform numerals used (University of Pittsburgh)

1932 — German physicist Albert Einstein granted a visa

1935 — First commercial hydroponics operation established (Montebello CA)

1936 — Armenian SSR, Azerbaijan SSR, Georgian SSR, Kazakhstan SSR & Kirghiz SSR becomes constituent republics of the Soviet Union

1941 — Russian anti offensive in Moscow drives out nazi army

1946 — President Truman creates Committee on Civil Rights by Executive Order #9808

1950 — Sikkim becomes a protectorate of India

1952 — London smog of 1952 - worst smog in London ever, 4,000+ die

1957 — NYC becomes 1st city to legislate against racial or religious discrimination in housing market (Fair Housing Practices Law)

1977 — Egypt breaks diplomatic relations with Syria, Libya, Algeria, Iraq & South Yemen

1978 — European Union establishes EMS, European Monetary System

1991 — New York Daily News files for protection under chapter 11