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Today in History December 15

533
Byzantine General Belisarius defeats the Vandals, under King Gelimer, at the Battle of Ticameron

1791
US Bill of Rights ratified when Virginia gives its approval, becomes amendments 1-10 of the US constitution

1862
In New Orleans, Louisiana, Union Major General Benjamin F. Butler turns his command over to Nathaniel Banks. The citizens of New Orleans hold farewell parties for Butler, "The Beast" - but only after he leaves.

1890
As U.S. Army soldiers attempt to arrest Sitting Bull at his cabin in Standing Rock, South Dakota, shooting breaks out and Lt. Bullhead shoots the great Sioux leader.

1965
The United States drops 12 tons of bombs on an industrial center near Haiphong Harbor, North Vietnam.

1967
President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the meat bill in the presence of Upton Sinclair, the author of the controversial book The Jungle.

1973 The American Psychiatric Association votes to remove homosexuality from its official list of psychiatric disorders.

1978
US President Jimmy Carter announces the United States will recognize the People's Republic of China and will sever all relations with Taiwan.

2001
The Leaning Tower of Pisa reopens after an 11-year, $27 million project to fortify it without eliminating its famed lean.

2005
Introduction of the F-22 Raptor into USAF active service

2021
COVID-19 Omicron variant called "probably the most significant threat" of the pandemic by head of UK Health Security Agency, warning of "staggering" growth in next few days

2022
Tens of thousands of nurses go on strike in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in largest strike in NHS history

2023
Mexico's Maya Train inaugurated by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, first part of a $20 billion, 950-mile line tourist train route around the Yucatan peninsular

Born on December 15

1883
William A. Hinton, developer of the "Hinton Test" for diagnosing syphilis.

1892
J. Paul Getty, American oilman and art collector..

1933
Tim Conway, actor, screenwriter, producer, known for his comedic roles in TV and film that he frequently improvised (The Carol Burnett Show TV series).

JOTD

It's Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, and a man makes his way to his seat right at center ice. He sits down, noticing that the seat next to him is empty.
He leans over and asks his neighbor if someone will be sitting there. 'No' says the neighbor. 'The seat is empty.'
'This is incredible,' said the man. 'Who in their right mind would have a seat like this for the Stanley Cup and not use it?'
The neighbor says, 'Well, actually, the seat belongs to me. I was supposed to come with my wife, but she passed away.
'This is the first Stanley Cup we haven't been to together since we got married.'
'Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that. That's terrible... But couldn't you find someone else, a friend or relative, or even a neighbor to take the seat?'
The man shakes his head. 'No,' he says. 'They're all at the funeral.