As 2024 nears its close, December 28 marks not only the 363rd day of this leap year but also an opportunity to reflect on significant historical events that occurred on this day across different years. Among today’s critical remembrances is the 2015 decision by a Cleveland grand jury not to charge two white officers in the fatal shooting of 12-year-old Tamir Rice, a Black youth, who was holding a toy pellet gun at the time.
This tragic event is among several impactful occurrences that have taken place on December 28, spanning from breakthroughs in entertainment to changes in global politics. In 1895, cinema pioneers Auguste and Louis Lumiere conducted the first commercial film screening in Paris, a pivotal moment in the history of motion pictures.
Disaster struck the Italian coast in 1908 when a powerful earthquake followed by a tsunami devastated Messina and Reggio Calabria, claiming at least 70,000 lives. This remains one of the deadliest natural disasters in European history.
Moving forward to 1912 in San Francisco, the launch of the Municipal Railway became another historical event, with Mayor James Rolph Jr. personally operating the first streetcar amidst a crowd of 50,000 onlookers. The development underscored the city’s expansion and growing infrastructure needs at the time.
Several years later in 1945, the U.S. Congress gave official recognition to the Pledge of Allegiance, embedding it further into American culture and schools.
In a notable international political development in 1972, North Korea saw a significant shift in its government when Kim Il Sung was declared the president under a newly formed constitution, after having been premier.
Back in the United States, 1973 ushered in the Endangered Species Act, signed into law by President Richard Nixon, marking a major advancement in environmental conservation efforts in the country.
In medical milestones, December 28, 1981, welcomed Elizabeth Jordan Carr, the first American baby conceived via in vitro fertilization, in Norfolk, Virginia. Her birth symbolized hope and new possibilities in reproductive technology.
Darker moments also shadow this date, such as in 1991 when nine people died in a stampede at a charity basketball game in New York City, reflecting ongoing challenges in event safety and crowd management.
The Afghanistan War formally concluded on this day in 2014, with a flag-lowering ceremony in Kabul, turning over the combat duties to Afghan security forces after 13 years of U.S.-led military involvement.
Noteworthy too are the birthdays of several public figures from the film, television, and sports industries including actor Denzel Washington, TV personality Gayle King, hockey legend Ray Bourque, and computer scientist Linus Torvalds.
As we reflect on these events and personalities that have shaped history to varying degrees, it is important to note that while this overview seeks to provide context and insight, the accuracy of the details such as dates, events and figures can vary and are subject to revision and confirmation. Any concerns regarding content inaccuracies can be addressed by reaching out to [email protected].