Important Events From This day in History December 4

  

1998 Space - - International Space Station

The first 6 astronauts are taken by Space Shuttle Endeavour to Attach the Unity Module to Zarya FGB to begin the assembly in space of the International Space Station, as of 2008 24 out of the 32 modules to complete the Space Station are connected. The International Space Station (ISS) is a joint project between (NASA) U.S.A., (RKA) Russia , (JAXA) Japan , (CSA) Canada and eleven European countries (ESA). The space station is in low orbit and can be seen from Earth with the naked eye. Since 2nd November 2000 the Space Station has been manned continually. The International Space Station came about after the cold war ended with an "Agreement between the United States of America and the Russian Federation Concerning Cooperation in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space for Peaceful Purposes."

1952 Great Britain - - Deadly London Smog

A deadly smog created by the smoke soot and sulfur dioxide from the factories, cars and coal fires in local homes begins to hover over London, England, which continues for four days, leading to the deaths of at least 4,000 people.

1872 Azores - - Mary Celeste Mystery

Crew from the Dei Gratia, a small British brig spot the Mary Celeste, at full sail near the Azores Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. The ship was seaworthy, its stores and supplies were untouched, but not a soul was on board.

1969 U.S.A. - - Black Panther Party

Police kill Fred Hampton, 21, and Mark Clark, 22, members of the Black Panther Party who are gunned down by 14 police officers as they lie sleeping in their Chicago, Illinois, apartment. The Black Panther Party was an African American organization founded to promote civil rights and social justice and was a part of the anti establishment counterculture of the Sixties.

1909 Denmark - - Princess Waldemar

In Copenhagen Princess Waldemar lay on her death bed. The princess suffered from the flu, but became unconscious and was expected to die. Her husband, Prince Waldemar, the late King Christian's youngest son, was travelling with their three sons in India.

1920 Greece - - Financial Aid Withdrawn

Greece was warned by The Allied Supreme Council that their financial aid would be withdrawn if King Constantine was returned to power. Some of the allies believed that Smyrna would be more secure in Turkish hands than under King Constantine.

1934 Turkey - - Uniforms Forbidden

In Turkey all uniforms were forbidden - even Boy Scout uniforms from other countries. Also prohibited were Nazi brown uniforms and Fascist black military dress.

1941 United States - - Airplane Production

President Roosevelt implied that he would like the United States to produce 50,000 airplanes. Probably this goal would be met according to the president of the Aeronautical Chamber of Commerce. That would mean manufacturing 4,000 planes a month until July 1945.

1943 United States - - PWA Ended

The Works Progress Administration, which had been created to provide jobs during the Great Depression of the 1930's is ended.

1945 United States - - United Nations

The U.S. Senate approves U.S. participation in the UN. The United Nations had officially came into existence on October 24, 1945.

1953 Canada - - US Relations

Canadian-U.S. relations were at a low point, even though the two countries boasted the longest undefended border in the world. The source of the animosity was over Igor Gouzenko who had information on Soviet espionage. The Royal Commission in Canada had used Gouzenko's testimony to create the most comprehensive document on Soviet spying ever. However, Canadians felt that the U.S. was blackmailing Minister of External Affairs, Lester B. Pearson, by suggesting that he leaked information to Soviet spies.

1954 U.S.A. - - Burger King

The first Burger King (Insta Burger King) is opened in Miami, Florida by James McLamore and David Edgerton. Burger King continued to grow slowly and in 1967 followed other fast food chains by allowing franchise restaurants. The idea was copied from the fast food restaurant concept introduced by Dick and Mac McDonald (Ray Kroc bought out Dick and Mac McDonald in 1955).

1961 U.K. - - Birth Control Pill

The birth control pill an oral contraception will now be available on the National Health Service..

1971 Northern Ireland - - Pub Bomb Belfast

Bomb demolishes crowded Belfast pub killing at least 10 and injuring 17 one of a number of attacks.

1971 Pakistan - - Worsening Relations India and Pakistan

The Indian Navy attacks the Pakistan Navy and fighting intensifies in Karachi. The United nations calls for a cease fire and negotiations over concern that the fighting could deteriorate into full scale war.

1974 Norway - - Oil Dispute

Russia and Norway were having another round of talks about the boundaries beneath the Barents Sea in the Arctic. There was oil under the sea and Russia was eager to get at it, however, Norway wanted to wait and get the borders settled before allowing the Russians to bring their oil drilling equipment in.

1989 Israel - - Chemical Weapons

Israel feared the use of chemical weapons should another war break out with Syria. One Israeli soldier warned, 'We know they have chemical weapons. We have to assume they would use chemical weapons in a war.' Syrians had been seen by Israelis training for chemical warfare. However, it was believed that Israel had the same weapons at their disposal.

1991 Lebanon - - Last US Hostage Released

Associated Press correspondent Terry Anderson, the last and longest-held US hostage in Lebanon, is freed by an Islamic militant group after 2,454 days in captivity.

1991 U.S.A. - - Last PAN AM Flight

Pan American World Airways (Pan AM) takes it's last commercial Pan Am Flight 436 from Bridgetown, Barbados, to Miami. Pan Am is remembered for being the first worldwide mail delivery service on Aircraft called Clipper flying boats, and created many firsts including the first commercial service across the North Atlantic.