Today is Tuesday, December 18, the 353rd day of 2012. There are 13 days left in the year.
1621 ― English parliament accept unanimously, Protestation
1839 ― First celestial photograph (the moon) made in U.S., John Draper, New York, N.Y.
1892 ― Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky's ballet "Nutcracker Suite" premieres
1956 ― Japan admitted to the United Nations
1969 ― Britain abolishes death penalty
1971 ― First Candlelight Processional
1972 ― U.S. begins its heaviest bombing of North Vietnam
1985 ― U.N. Security Council unanimously condemns "acts of hostage-taking"
1991 ― General Motors announces the closing of 21 plants
1996 ― TV industry executives agree to adopt a ratings system