This Day in American History: December 14

1799 – George Washington dies

George Washington, the nation’s first president and a central figure in the American Revolutionary War, died at his Mount Vernon estate in Virginia at the age of 67. His death prompted widespread national mourning and solidified his legacy as the “Father of His Country.”

1819 – Alabama becomes the 22nd state

Alabama was admitted to the Union as the 22nd state. Its admission was part of the broader westward expansion of the United States during the early 19th century.

1911 – Roald Amundsen reaches the South Pole

Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen became the first person to reach the South Pole. His successful expedition marked a major achievement in polar exploration and scientific discovery.

1939 – Winter War begins in Europe

The Soviet Union was expelled from the League of Nations following its invasion of Finland, marking a significant moment in the early stages of World War II and highlighting the League’s inability to prevent military aggression.

1962 – NASA’s Mariner 2 mission returns data from Venus

Mariner 2 successfully flew past Venus, becoming the first spacecraft to transmit data from another planet. The mission provided groundbreaking information about Venus’s atmosphere and surface temperatures.

1981 – Israel annexes the Golan Heights

Israel formally annexed the Golan Heights, a move that drew international criticism and was declared “null and void” by the United Nations Security Council.

1995 – Dayton Peace Accords are signed

Leaders from Bosnia, Croatia, and Serbia signed the Dayton Peace Accords in Paris, formally ending the Bosnian War and reshaping the political structure of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

2012 – Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting

A mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, claimed the lives of 26 people, including 20 children. The tragedy sparked national conversations about gun violence, school safety, and mental health.