1775: John Paul Jones hoists the Grand Union Flag on the USS Alfred. This is the first vessel to fly this precursor to the American Stars and Stripes flag.
1804: Napoleon Bonaparte crowns himself as French Emperor in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France.
1805: Napoleon leads French forces in a victorious battle against a joint force of Russians and Austrians.
1823: United States President James Monroe introduces the Monroe Doctrine when he gives a speech that proclaims America will remain neutral in all future European wars and warns the European countries should not try to interfere in the Americas.
1845: United States President James K. Polk gives a State of the Union address which suggests that the U.S should expand aggressively westward – a policy known as Manifest Destiny.
1927: The Model A is introduced by the Ford Motor Company.
1930: During the Great Depression, United States President Herbert Hoover suggest a public works program should be initiated to help stimulate the economy. This job works program would cost $150 million dollars ($2.15 billion in adjusted 2017 dollars).
1942: During WWII, Ernico Fermi and his team initiate the first self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction as they are working on the top-secret Manhattan Project.
Famous Birthdays on December 2
French painter Georges Seurat is born in 1859.
German painter Otto Dix is born in 1891.
American author and historian, Charles H. Wesley is born in 1891.
American actor Bill Erwin is born in 1914.
American playwright and composer, Adolph Green is born in 1914.
American singer Sylvia Syms is born in 1917.
American actress Julie Harris is born in 1925.
American author Ann Patchett is born in 1963.
Canadian NHL player and coach, Ron Sutter is born in 1963.
Canadian NHL player and scout, Rich Sutter is born in 1963.
American actress and producer, Lucy Liu is born in 1968.
American actress Rena Sofer is born in 1968.
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