This Day in History Class

The "discovery" of the Piltdown Man was announced on this day in 1912. / On this day in 1892, Tchaikovsky's now-famous ballet "The Nutcracker" premiered. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The observance of Saturnalia begins on December 17, although we don't know precisely which year the first Saturnalia was observed. / On this day in 1790, the Aztec sun stone, a circular stone marked by carvings of calendar signs and images related to the Aztec creation myth, was rediscovered in Mexico City. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

American colonists in Boston protested British rule with the Boston Tea Party incident on this day in 1773. / On this day in 755, Chinese General An Lushan proclaimed himself emperor, marking the beginning of the An Lushan Rebellion against the Tang dynasty. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sitting Bull, the Hunkpapa Lakota leader and seminal Native American figure, was killed at the Standing Rock Indian Reservation on this day in 1890. / Filipino revolutionary Emilio Jacinto was born on this day in 1875. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Roald Amundsen and his expedition became the first people to reach the South Pole, beating Robert Falcon Scott's expedition, on this day in 1911. / On this day in 1948, two engineers from DuMont Laboratories received a patent for their cathode-ray tube amusement device. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ibn Battuta, one of the most accomplished travelers of the medieval Islamic world, completed his travelogue known as the Rihla, or Journey, on this day in 1355. / On this day, Ella Baker - an organizer in the Civil Rights Movement who worked with the NAACP, SNCC, and SCLC - was born. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Oaks Colliery exploded on this day in 1866. / On this day in 1899, Dr. George F. Grant, a dentist, received the first ever patent for a golf tee. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Louis XVI was indicted for treason on this day in 1792. / On this day in 1978, a group of robbers affiliated with organized crime stole around $6 million in cash and jewelry from the JFK International Airport in New York. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Japan's 300 Million Yen Robbery took place on this day in 1968. / On this day in 1907, riots incited by pro-vivisection medical students in London peaked. The conflict centered around the vivisection of a brown dog, its resulting death, and a memorial erected in its honor. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Cretan Autonomous State was established on this day in 1898 under the Julian calendar. By the Gregorian calendar, it was December 21. / On this day in 1979, members of the Global Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication signed a statement that declared that smallpox had been eradicated worldwide. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.