Today is Saturday, December 15, the 350th day of 2012. 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
1877 ― Thomas Edison patents phonograph
1891 ― James Naismith invents basketball (Canada)
1893 ― Dvoraks "From the New World" premieres at Carnegie Hall, NYC
1952 ― Christine Jorgenson is first person to undergo a sex-change operation
1959 ― Everly Brothers record "Let It Be Me"
1964 ― First time four people in space
1970 ― South Korean ferry Namyong-ho sinks in Strait of Korea, 308 killed
1993 ― GATT Uruguay Round completed