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Today in History: December 23

438
The Theodosian Code of Roman laws proclaimed in the Western Empire (first law reforms since 295)

1783
US General George Washington resigns his military commission as Commander-in-Chief of the Army to Congress

1900
The Federal Party, which recognizes American sovereignty, is formed in the Philippines.

1941
Despite throwing back an earlier Japanese amphibious assault, the U.S. Marines and Navy defenders on Wake Island capitulate to a second Japanese invasion.

1944
General Dwight D. Eisenhower confirms the death sentence of Private Eddie Slovik, the only American shot for desertion since the Civil War.

1947
President Harry S Truman grants a pardon to 1,523 who had evaded the World War II draft.

1948
Japan's Prime Minister, Hideki Tojo and six other collaborators are hanged for war crimes.

1974
The B-1 bomber makes its first successful test flight.

1986
The Voyager completes the first nonstop flight around the globe on one load of fuel. The experimental aircraft, piloted by Americans Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager, landed at Edwards Air Force Base in California after nine days and four minutes in the sky.

1990
In a referendum on Sovlenia's independence from Yugoslovia, 88.5% vote in favor of independence.

2002
An Iraqi MiG-25 shoots down a US MQ-1 Predator drone.

2016
United Nations Security Council adopts a landmark resolution demanding a halt to all Israeli settlement in Palestinian territory occupied since 1967. Resolution 2334 was moved by New Zealand, Malaysia, Senegal and Venezuela and passed 14-0 with a US abstention.

2022
Washington Capitals center Alex Ovechkin scores two goals to move past Gordie Howe on most NHL career goals list in 4-1 win over visiting Winnipeg Jets

Born on December 23

1790
Jean François Champollion, French founder of Egyptology who deciphered the Rosetta Stone.

1805
Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon Church.

1938
Bob Kahn, computer scientist and engineer; co-developed the Transmission Control Protocol that web browsers use to connect to servers on the World Wide Web.

JOTD

A journalist goes to Russia for a documentary. In a little village he saw an old man and asked him to narrate a typical happy story of his village.

The old man smiled and began:"One day, a long time ago, my goat got lost in the mountains. As is our tradition, all the men of the village gathered to drink vodka first and then looked for the goat. When we finally found her, as is our tradition, we all drank some more vodka and all the men in the village each got their turn to mate with the goat. We had so much fun that day!"
The journalist realized that he couldn't publish such a story so he asked the old man if he had another happy story.
The old man smiled again and started all over again: "Once, my neighbor’s wife got lost in the mountains. As per our tradition, all of the village's men gathered to drink vodka and then went to look for her. As is our tradition, when we finally found her, all the men in the village got their turn to mate with the neighbor’s wife. We had great fun that day!"
The journalist couldn't publish that story either and therefore asked: "Don't you have a story that is less happy; something... umm ... sadder?"
The old man's smile faded. His eyes welled up..... In a sad, soft voice he began: "One day I got lost in the mountains.....