1776: Thomas Paine publishes his 1st “American Crisis” essay beginning “These are the times that try men’s souls” (date disputed)

1783: William Pitt the Younger becomes the youngest ever British Prime Minister at age 24

1932: British Broadcasting Corp begins transmitting overseas

1950: Chinese invasion of Tibet forces the Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama to flee

1958: 1st radio broadcast from space, US President Dwight D. Eisenhower Christmas message “to all mankind, America’s wish for peace on Earth and goodwill to men everywhere”

1984: Chinese Premier Zhao Ziyang and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher sign the Sino-British Joint Declaration to transfer Hong Kong back to China in 1997

Source: Onthisday.com