On this day
Revisit the news, notable people, and historical moments connected to this date.
In 2012, the world population was approximately 7,201,202,485 people[â ]
2012Ed Derwinski, American soldier and politician, first United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs (born 1926)[â ]
Edward Joseph Derwinski was an American politician who served as the first Cabinet-level United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs, serving under President George H. W. Bush from March 15, 1989 to September 26, 1992. He previously served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1959 to 1983, representing south and southwest suburbs of Chicago.
2012Manuel Fraga Iribarne, Spanish lawyer and politician, third President of the Xunta of Galicia (born 1922)[â ]
Manuel Fraga Iribarne was a Spanish professor and politician during the dictatorship of Francisco Franco, who was also one of the founders of the People's Alliance (AP). Fraga was Minister of Information and Tourism between 1962 and 1969, Ambassador to the United Kingdom between 1973 and 1975, Minister of the Interior in 1975, Second Deputy Prime Minister between 1975 and 1976, President of the People's Alliance/People's Party (PP) between 1979 and 1990 and President of the Regional Government of Galicia between 1990 and 2005. He was also a Member of the Congress of Deputies and a Senator.
2012Carlo Fruttero, Italian journalist and author (born 1926)[â ]
Carlo Fruttero was an Italian writer, journalist, translator and editor of anthologies.
2012Samuel Jaskilka, American general (born 1919)[â ]
Samuel Jaskilka was a U.S. Marine four-star general whose last assignment was Assistant Commandant of the United States Marine Corps (1975â1978). General Jaskilka was a highly decorated veteran of the Korean War, having led the landing at Inchon as a company commander with the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines. He retired from the Marine Corps in 1978 after 36 years of service.
2012Ib Spang Olsen, Danish author and illustrator (born 1921)[â ]
Ib Spang Olsen was a Danish writer and illustrator best known to generations of Danes for cartoons and illustrations, many of which appeared in children's publications. Those include a series of nursery rhyme books written by Halfdan Rasmussen, including "Halfdans ABC". He also wrote his own children's books, such as the whimsical tale of the seasons, The Marsh Crone's Brew. Olsen drew for newspapers, magazines, books, posters, television, and comics. For his lasting contribution as a children's illustrator Olsen received the international Hans Christian Andersen Medal in 1972.
2012Hulett C. Smith, American lieutenant and politician, 27th Governor of West Virginia (born 1918)[â ]
Hulett Carlson Smith was an American politician who served as the 27th governor of West Virginia from 1965 to 1969.
The failure of an Arab League mission and a government as defiant as its opposition is in disarray have thrust Syria into what increasingly looks like a protracted and chaotic conflict.
Tom Bradyâs performance in New Englandâs playoff victory served as a reminder that he possesses the accuracy and acumen of which championships are made.
Doug Wheeler, a founder of the so-called Light and Space movement, constructs his first Manhattan âinfinity environmentâ at the David Zwirner gallery in Chelsea.
In confronting the debt crisis, European leaders must not lose sight of the need to rebuild their economies by investing in technology or making labor markets more flexible, analysts say.
As online giants act more like big-box stores, smaller sites are positioning themselves as mom-and-pop alternatives.
Baltimore intercepted the rookie quarterback T. J. Yates three times and held Houston scoreless after halftime to advance to the A.F.C. championship game against New England.
Deborah Scroggins has written a dual biography of Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Aafia Siddiqui, whose lives have shared âa weird symmetry.â
âAlcatraz,â a new Fox drama from the J. J. Abrams brain trust, concerns a detective hunting inmates who disappeared when the prison closed in 1963.
The Alternative Guitar Festival at Rockwood Music Hall posited the instrument as inspiration.
In a Washington Post interview, the former Penn State coach Joe Paterno said he did not know how to handle a report in 2002 of suspected sexual abuse by Jerry Sandusky.
After the Broncos were ousted by the Patriots, quarterback Tim Tebow returned to his devoutly religious role. His play in the game had left little to praise.
Data to be reported for December will include the Producer Price Index, industrial production and capacity utilization.