Today is Monday, December 17, the 352nd day of 2012. There are 14 days left in the year.
1538 ― Pope Paul III excommunicated England's King Henry VIII
1718 ― England declares war on Spain
1777 ― France recognizes independence of English colonies in America
1790 ― Aztec calendar stone discovered in Mexico City
1923 ― Greek king George II overthrown by army/republic
1926 ― German Marx government falls due to cooperation with red army
1942 ― Allies in London sentence German war criminals
1962 ― Beatles first British TV appearance (People & Places)
1965 ― Largest newspaper; Sunday New York Times at 946 pages (50 cents)
1978 ―OPEC raises oil prices 18 percent