Today in History - December 24th

1814 - On this day in history, the War of 1812 between the United States and Britain ended with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent in Belgium.
1832 - The first US Negro hospital was founded by whites and chartered in Savannah, Georgia.
1851 - Today in history, a fire devastated the Library of Congress in Washington, DC destroyed approximately 35,000 volumes.
1865 - Several veterans of the Confederate Army formed a private social club in Pulaski, TN, called the Ku Klux Klan.
1935 - On this day in history, the National Council of Negro Women was formed.
1943 - FDR appointed Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower supreme commander of Allied forces as part of Operation Overlord.
1948 - Today in history, for the first time ever, a midnight Mass was broadcast on television from St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City.
1948 - The first completely solar-heated house became occupied in Dover, MA.

1973 - On this day in history, the District of Columbia Home Rule Act is passed, allowing residents of Washington, D.C. to elect their own local government.
1997 - For the first time, a Chanukah candle was officially lit in Vatican City,

MUSIC HISTORY - Today in History, December 24th

1818 - Today in history, Franz Gruber of Oberndorf, Germany composed the music for "Silent Night" to words written by Josef Mohr.
1871 - In Cairo, Egypt, Verdi's opera "Aida" had its world premiere.
1906 - On this day in history, Reginald A. Fessenden became the first person to broadcast a music program over radio.
1920 - Enrico Caruso gave his last public performance, when he sang in Jacques Halevy's "La Juive" at the Metropolitan Opera in New York.
1944 - Today in history, The Andrews Sisters starred in the debut of "The Andrews Sisters' Eight-To-The-Bar-Ranch" on ABC Radio.
1955 - The Lennon Sisters debuted as featured vocalists on "The Lawrence Welk Show" on ABC-TV.

1967 - On this day in history, Joe Namath (New York Jets) became the first quarterback to pass for 4,000 yards.

1893 - Henry Ford completed his first useful gas motor.
1912 - Today in history, Irving Fisher patented archiving system with index cards.
1936 - The first radioactive isotope medicine was administered in Berkeley, CA.