Virginia became the first state to ratify the Articles of Confederation.
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O.J. Simpson became the first NFL running back to rush for 2,000 yards in a season.
German armies took Allied forces by surprise in the Ardennes, marking the beginning of the Battle of the Bulge.
The name 'Euro' was officially adopted for European Currency.
Vasco da Gama became the first European to sail along Africa's East Coast.
A five-day pollution red alert was declared in Beijing and 21 other Chinese cities.
