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Today in History December 15

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

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.