FRIDAY, Dec. 15, 2023

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

1791 — Bill of Rights ratified when Virginia gave its approval

1791 — First U.S. law school established at University of Pennsylvania

1792 — First life insurance policy issued in U.S. (Philadelphia)

1794 — Revolutionary Tribunal abolished in France

1810 — First Irish magazine in U.S., The Shamrock, is published

1820 — First general pharmacopoeia in U.S. published, Boston

1859 — GR Kirchoff describes chemical composition of Sun

1877 — Thomas Edison patents phonograph

1891 — James Naismith invents basketball (Canada)

1916 — French defeat Germans in WWI Battle of Verdun

1917 — Moldavian Republic declares independence from Russia

1918 — American Jewish Congress holds it's first meeting

1939 — First commercial manufacture of nylon yarn, Seaford DE

1944 — Hizbu'allah (Arm forces for Allah) forms

1961 — Adolf Eichmann convicted of crimes against humanity in Israel

1964 — Canada adopts maple leaf flag

1970 — South Korean ferry Namyong-Ho sinks in Strait of Korea, 308 killed

1973 — American Psychiatric Association declares homosexuality is not mental illness

1993 — British premier major/Irish premier Reynolds signs Downing Street Declaration concerning Northern Ireland self determination