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Woodrow Wilson Sails for Europe
The 4 December marks the 100th Anniversary of President Woodrow Wilson’s embarkation for Europe. Wilson was the first U.S. President to visit Europe whilst holding office. Take a look back at his life and European excursions with this archive collection.
The Great Smog
On 5 December 1952, the ‘Great Smog’ descended upon London, cloaking the city for five days. Take a look at these films from the 1950s showing its effects and some of the ingenious contraptions designed to reduce its impact on public health.
The Death of Nelson Mandela
The 5 December marks the 5th Anniversary of the death of Nelson Mandela. Take a look back at his life with this collection of archive films.
The 21st Amendment
The 5 December marks the 85th Anniversary of the ratification of the 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Becoming effective on 15 December 1933, the 21st Amendment legalised the sale, production and consumption of alcohol, after it had been outlawed for 13 years by the 18th Amendment.
The Irish Free State
On 6 December 1922, the Irish Free State was declared, a year following the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921. On 7 December 1922, Northern Ireland voted to remain part of the United Kingdom, and on 8 December, ceased to be part of the Irish Free State.
The Attack on Pearl Harbour
On 7 December 1941, Japanese forces attacked the U.S. Naval base at Pearl Harbour. It prompted America to declare war against Japan, and enter World War Two on 8 December 1941.
The Nobel Prize
On 10 December 1896, Alfred Nobel died. In his will, Nobel had bequeathed funds to establish the Nobel Prizes, given to celebrate and recognise significant academic, cultural or scientific advances. On the same day in 1901, five years following his death, the first prizes were awarded.
Edward VIII Abdicates
On 10 December 1936, Edward VIII signed the instrument of abdication, with his brother, George VI, becoming King on 11 December 1936. Edward VIII had abdicated in order to marry Wallis Simpson, an American divorcee, whom constitutional conventions prohibited him marrying as king.
Roald Amundsen Reaches the South Pole
On 14 December 1911, Roald Amundsen and his team became the first to reach the South Pole, five weeks ahead of Robert Scott’s Terra Nova Expedition. Take a look back at Amundsen’s life and other daring expeditions with this archive collection.
Adolf Eichmann Sentenced to Death
On 15 December 1961, Adolf Eichmann was sentenced to death by hanging, following a trial which assessed his role in the Holocaust. Watch footage of the trial in this archive collection.
The Wright Brothers’ First Flight
The 17 December marks the 115th Anniversary of the first heavier-than-air flight, made by the Wright Brothers, Orville and Wilbur. Take a look back at the flight and how it has been commemorated in this archive collection.
Project Blue Book
On 17 December 1969, the U.S. Air Force closed Project Blue Book, a series of studies relating to UFOs. The project concluded that the 12,618 UFO reports it had assessed were predominantly misidentifications of natural phenomena or conventional aircraft, and none were extraterrestrial.
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