1903CE
Invention
Wright Brothers' First Flight
Orville and Wilbur Wright achieve the first powered, sustained, and controlled airplane flight near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The longest flight lasted 59 seconds and covered 852 feet.
Daily Chronicle
December 17
4 Historical Records
1936CE
Birth
Pope Francis Born
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he became the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit pope in 2013. He is known for his progressive stances on social issues, humility, and advocacy for the poor and marginalized.
1938CE
Science
Nuclear Fission Discovered
German chemist Otto Hahn and his assistant Fritz Strassmann discover nuclear fission while experimenting with uranium, a finding that revolutionizes physics.
1989CE
Culture
The Simpsons Premieres
The animated television series 'The Simpsons', created by Matt Groening, makes its debut as a half-hour prime-time show on the Fox network.