GMT

Today in History: December 16

1431
King Henry VI of England crowned King of France (only English monarch to wear both crowns)

1773
To protest the tax on tea from England, a group of young Americans, disguised as Indians, throw chests of tea from British ships in Boston Harbor.

1835
A fire in New York City destroys property estimated to be worth $20,000,000. It lasts two days, ravages 17 blocks, and destroys 674 buildings including the Stock Exchange, Merchants' Exchange, Post Office, and the South Dutch Church.

1944 Germany mounts a major offensive in the Ardennes Forest in Belgium. As the center of the Allied line falls back, it creates a bulge, leading to the name--the Battle of the Bulge.

1950
President Harry Truman declares a state of National Emergency as Chinese communists invade deeper into South Korea.

1978 Cleveland becomes the first U.S. city to default since the depression.

2003
President George W. Bush signs the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003, which establishes the United States' first national standards regarding email and gives the Federal Trade Commission authority to enforce the act.

2016
US State Department increases reward for information on Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi to $25 million

2020
Major winter storm hits US Northeast resulting in at least seven deaths and Binghamton, New York, receiving record 41 inches of snow

2022
Japan announces its biggest military build-up since WWII, amid concerns over China and North Korea


Born on December 16

1770
Ludwig Van Beethoven, German composer best known for his 9th Symphony.

1962
William Perry, pro football defensive lineman nicknamed The Refrigerator because of his size.


JOTD
Arlene Needs a Condom

Jane and Arlene are outside their nursing home, having a drink and a smoke, when it starts to rain. Jane pulls out a condom, cuts off the end, puts it over her cigarette, and continues smoking. Arlene: What in the hell is that? Jane: A condom. This way my cigarette doesn't get wet. Arlene: Where did you get it? Jane: You can get them at any pharmacy. The next day, Arlene hobbles herself into the local pharmacy and announces to the pharmacist that she wants a box of condoms. The pharmacist, obviously embarrassed, looks at her kind of strangely (she is, after all, over 80 years of age), but very delicately asks what size, texture, brand of condom she prefers. 'Doesn't matter Sonny, as long as it fits on a Camel.' The pharmacist fainted.