Today in History: December 18

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Here’s a look at some of the significant events that happened on this day in history:

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Historical Events​

• 1787 - New Jersey Becomes the Third State
  New Jersey ratified the U.S. Constitution, becoming the third state to join the Union.
• 1865 - Slavery Officially Abolished in the U.S.
  The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was declared in effect, abolishing slavery across the United States.
• 1892 - First Performance of "The Nutcracker"
  Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's ballet The Nutcracker premiered in St. Petersburg, Russia.
• 1958 - First Communications Satellite Broadcast
  The United States launched Project SCORE, the world's first communications satellite. It transmitted a recorded Christmas message from President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
• 2006 - United Arab Emirates Holds Its First Election
  The UAE held its first-ever elections for half the members of the Federal National Council.

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Famous Birthdays​

• 1878 - Joseph Stalin
  Soviet revolutionary and dictator who led the USSR from the mid-1920s until his death in 1953.
• 1886 - Ty Cobb
  American baseball player, one of the greatest in Major League Baseball history.
• 1946 - Steven Spielberg
  American filmmaker and director, known for classics like Jaws, E.T., Jurassic Park, and Schindler’s List.
• 1963 - Brad Pitt
  Academy Award-winning actor and producer, known for films such as Fight Club, Inglourious Basterds, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

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Fun Fact of the Day​

On this day in 1892, The Nutcracker premiered, but it wasn’t immediately successful. The ballet only gained widespread popularity in the mid-20th century and is now a Christmas classic.

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What’s your favorite event from today’s history? Let us know!