Today in History: Dec. 30

On Dec. 30, 1922, Vladimir Lenin proclaimed the establishment of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, which lasted nearly seven decades before dissolving in December 1991. In this photo taken in Nov. 7 1918, provided by Russian State Archive of Social and Political History, Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin addresses a crowd during the first year of Revolution in Red Square in Moscow, Russia. The Kremlin is avoiding any official commemoration of the centennial of the 1917 revolution, tip-toeing around the event that remains polarizing for many, as the historic wounds of the revolution have not healed for the descendants of the event (Russian State Archive of Social and Political History via AP)
John L. Lewis, leader of the United Auto Workers' sit down strikes in Detroit  passes out copies of statements he issued after the 11th conference intended to settle the strikes, Feb. 9, 1937.  Beside him is his legal counsel, Lee Pressman. (AP Photo)
In 1936, the United Auto Workers union staged its first “sit-down” strike at the General Motors Fisher Body Plant No. 1 in Flint, Michigan. The strike lasted until Feb. 11, 1937. Here, John L. Lewis, leader of the United Auto Workers’ sit down strikes in Detroit passes out copies of statements he issued after the 11th conference intended to settle the strikes, Feb. 9, 1937. (AP Photo)
President Ferdinand Marcos poses, Nov. 22, 1965, Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo)
In 1965, Ferdinand Marcos was inaugurated for his first term as president of the Philippines. Marcos is seen here on Nov. 22, 1965, Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo)
Undated photo of Rasputin, the self-styled monk who was killed 1916 by Prince Youssoupoff, because of his evil influence of the Russian Royal Family. (AP Photo)
In 1916, Grigory Rasputin, the so-called “Mad Monk” who wielded considerable influence with Czar Nicholas II, was killed by a group of Russian noblemen in St. Petersburg. Undated photo of Rasputin, the self-styled monk who was killed 1916 by Prince Youssoupoff, because of his evil influence of the Russian Royal Family. (AP Photo)
In 2008, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed a law extending presidential terms from four years to six. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev leads a cabinet meeting in the Gorky residence outside Moscow, Georgia, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2018. Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a televised address Wednesday said without raising the retirement age Russia’s pension system “would crack and eventually collapse.” He offered concessions to the reform, saying that women’s retirement age should increase from 55 to 60 years, lower than had proposed. (Dmitry Astakhov, Sputnik, Government Pool Photo via AP)
FILE - This May 14, 2010 file photo shows State Route 110, then known as the Pasadena Freeway but which has since regained its original name, the Arroyo Seco Parkway, as it approaches downtown Los Angeles near Dodger Stadium. Note the Stadium Way Dodger Stadium exit sign at lower right. In January 2017, a California lawmaker wants to name a section of the roadway in honor of Vin Scully, the legendary broadcaster who retired last year after calling Dodger games for 67 seasons. (AP Photo/Kim Johnson Flodin, File)
In 1940, California’s first freeway, the Arroyo Seco Parkway connecting Los Angeles and Pasadena, was officially opened by Gov. Culbert L. Olson. FILE – This May 14, 2010 file photo shows State Route 110, then known as the Pasadena Freeway but which has since regained its original name, the Arroyo Seco Parkway, as it approaches downtown Los Angeles near Dodger Stadium. Note the Stadium Way Dodger Stadium exit sign at lower right. In January 2017, a California lawmaker wants to name a section of the roadway in honor of Vin Scully, the legendary broadcaster who retired last year after calling Dodger games for 67 seasons. (AP Photo/Kim Johnson Flodin, File)
Algerians of the Badjarah district of Algiers go shopping in preparation for the holy month of Ramadan, Tuesday Dec. 30, 1997.  Road-side attackers and village raiders wielding knives and guns killed 58 people in Algeria in recent days according to witnesses and newspaper reports Tuesday. (AP PHOTO)
In 1997, a deadly massacre in Algeria’s insurgency began in four mountain villages as armed men killed women and children in an attack that lasted from dusk until dawn the following morning; up to 412 deaths were reported. Algerians of the Badjarah district of Algiers go shopping in preparation for the holy month of Ramadan, Tuesday Dec. 30, 1997. Road-side attackers and village raiders wielding knives and guns killed 58 people in Algeria in recent days according to witnesses and newspaper reports Tuesday. (AP PHOTO)
In 1999, former Beatle George Harrison fought off a knife-wielding intruder who’d broken into his mansion west of London and stabbed him in the chest. (The attacker was later acquitted of attempted murder by reason of insanity.) FILE – This Feb. 28, 1968 file photo shows The Beatles, from left, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr and George Harrison. The Beatles have released a new music video on Apple Music for their 1968 song, “Glass Onion.” The video was released Tuesday and features rare photos and performance footage. The song appeared on their self-titled ninth album, often referred to as the “White Album,” which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. (AP Photo, File)
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John L. Lewis, leader of the United Auto Workers' sit down strikes in Detroit  passes out copies of statements he issued after the 11th conference intended to settle the strikes, Feb. 9, 1937.  Beside him is his legal counsel, Lee Pressman. (AP Photo)
President Ferdinand Marcos poses, Nov. 22, 1965, Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo)
Undated photo of Rasputin, the self-styled monk who was killed 1916 by Prince Youssoupoff, because of his evil influence of the Russian Royal Family. (AP Photo)
FILE - This May 14, 2010 file photo shows State Route 110, then known as the Pasadena Freeway but which has since regained its original name, the Arroyo Seco Parkway, as it approaches downtown Los Angeles near Dodger Stadium. Note the Stadium Way Dodger Stadium exit sign at lower right. In January 2017, a California lawmaker wants to name a section of the roadway in honor of Vin Scully, the legendary broadcaster who retired last year after calling Dodger games for 67 seasons. (AP Photo/Kim Johnson Flodin, File)
Algerians of the Badjarah district of Algiers go shopping in preparation for the holy month of Ramadan, Tuesday Dec. 30, 1997.  Road-side attackers and village raiders wielding knives and guns killed 58 people in Algeria in recent days according to witnesses and newspaper reports Tuesday. (AP PHOTO)

Today is Dec. 30, the 364th day of 2018.

Today’s Highlight in History:

On Dec. 30, 1853, the United States and Mexico signed a treaty under which the U.S. agreed to buy some 45,000 square miles of land from Mexico for $10 million in a deal known as the Gadsden Purchase.

On this date:

In 1813, British troops burned Buffalo, New York, during the War of 1812.

In 1860, 10 days after South Carolina seceded from the Union, the state militia seized the United States Arsenal in Charleston.

In 1916, Grigory Rasputin, the so-called “Mad Monk” who wielded considerable influence with Czar Nicholas II, was killed by a group of Russian noblemen in St. Petersburg.

In 1922, Vladimir Lenin proclaimed the establishment of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, which lasted nearly seven decades before dissolving in December 1991.

In 1936, the United Auto Workers union staged its first “sit-down” strike at the General Motors Fisher Body Plant No. 1 in Flint, Michigan. (The strike lasted until Feb. 11, 1937.)

In 1940, California’s first freeway, the Arroyo Seco Parkway connecting Los Angeles and Pasadena, was officially opened by Gov. Culbert L. Olson.

In 1942, a near-riot of bobby-soxers greeted the opening of Frank Sinatra’s singing engagement at the Paramount Theater in New York’s Times Square.

In 1965, Ferdinand Marcos was inaugurated for his first term as president of the Philippines.

In 1979, Broadway composer Richard Rodgers died in New York at age 77.

In 1989, a Northwest Airlines DC-10, which had been the target of a telephoned threat, flew safely from Paris to Detroit with 22 passengers amid extra-tight security.

In 1997, a deadly massacre in Algeria’s insurgency began in four mountain villages as armed men killed women and children in an attack that lasted from dusk until dawn the following morning; up to 412 deaths were reported.

In 1999, former Beatle George Harrison fought off a knife-wielding intruder who’d broken into his mansion west of London and stabbed him in the chest. (The attacker was later acquitted of attempted murder by reason of insanity.)

In 2008: A defiant Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich named former state Attorney General Roland Burris to Barack Obama’s Senate seat, a surprise move that put the governor’s opponents in the uncomfortable position of trying to block his choice from becoming the Senate’s only black member. (Burris was sworn in as a U.S. senator the following month.) Israeli aircraft kept up a relentless string of attacks on Hamas-ruled Gaza, smashing a government complex, security installations and the home of a top militant commander. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed a law extending presidential terms from four years to six.

In 2013: Six states were named by federal officials to develop test sites for drones: Alaska, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Texas and Virginia. Barely 12 hours after the NFL’s regular season ended, four more head coaches were fired: Washington’s Mike Shanahan, Detroit’s Jim Schwartz, Minnesota’s Leslie Frazier and Tampa Bay’s Greg Schiano. (Cleveland’s Rob Chudzinski had been fired the night before).

In 2017: A wave of spontaneous protests over Iran’s weak economy swept into Tehran, with college students and others chanting against the government. Forecasters issued winter weather advisories across much of the Deep South ahead of plunging temperatures expected as the new year arrived.

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