1808
Beethoven debuted his Fifth and Sixth Symphonies in Vienna, marking a milestone in classical music.
1894
The British daily newspaper Daily Mail was founded by Alfred Harmsworth.
In France, army officer Alfred Dreyfus was publicly degraded and accused of treason, igniting the Dreyfus Affair.
1937
Japanese forces captured Nanking, China, during the Second Sino-Japanese War.
1944
The Battle of the Bulge commenced in World War II as German troops launched a major assault in the Ardennes region.
1989
Romania’s long-time dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu was toppled and taken into custody after 24 years of rule.
1997
Northern Iran was hit by a catastrophic earthquake, causing thousands of deaths.
