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