Today in history: Dec. 2
Major events that happened around the world on this day in history.
1859: John Brown
On Dec. 2, 1859, militant abolitionist John Brown was hanged for his raid on Harpers Ferry the previous October.
1942: WWII Manhattan Project
In 1942, an artificially created, self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction was demonstrated for the first time at the University of Chicago.
1954: Sen. Joseph R. McCarthy
In 1954, the U.S. Senate passed, 67-22, a resolution condemning Sen. Joseph R. McCarthy, R-Wis., saying he had "acted contrary to senatorial ethics and tended to bring the Senate into dishonor and disrepute."
1969: Boeing 747
In 1969, the Boeing 747 jumbo jet got its first public preview as 191 people, most of them reporters and photographers, flew from Seattle to New York City.
1970: Environmental Protection Agency
In 1970, the newly created Environmental Protection Agency opened its doors under its first director, William D. Ruckelshaus.
1980: Murders in El Salvador
In 1980, four American churchwomen were raped and murdered in El Salvador. (Five national guardsmen were convicted in the killings.)
1982: Artificial Heart
In 1982, in the first operation of its kind, doctors at the University of Utah Medical Center implanted a permanent artificial heart in the chest of retired dentist Dr. Barney Clark, who lived 112 days with the device.
1990: Aaron Copland
In 1990, composer Aaron Copland died in North Tarrytown, New York, at age 90.
2009: Tiger Woods
Ten years ago: Tiger Woods issued a statement saying he'd let his family down with "transgressions" that he regretted "with all of my heart," and that he would deal with his personal life behind closed doors.
2014: Israel
Five years ago: Israel's divided government fell apart as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fired two rebellious Cabinet ministers and called for a new election more than two years ahead of schedule.
2014: Kenya
Five years ago: Islamic militants killed 36 quarry workers in northern Kenya who they believed were non-Muslims.
2015: California Shootings
In 2015, a couple loyal to Islamic State opened fire at a holiday banquet for public employees in San Bernardino, California, killing 14 people and wounding 21 others before dying in a shootout with police.
2018: Benjamin Netanyahu
One year ago: Israeli police recommended indicting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on bribery charges, adding to a growing collection of legal troubles for the longtime leader.
