December 17th is known as Wright Brothers Day and Maple Syrup Day.
Australia recorded its hottest day ever with an average temperature of 105°F across the country.
Dictionary publisher Merriam-Webster's stated their word of the year was 'justice.'
NASA completed a successful mission to map the Moon's gravity field.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King was released in theaters.
The first full-length episode of The Simpsons aired on FOX.
American mafia hitman Richard Kuklinski was arrested at a roadblock.
Terrorists attacked Rome's Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino International Airport, leaving thirty dead.
The Houston Astrodome opened.
The Boeing B-47 Stratojet Strategic bomber plane made its first flight.
The first sustained motorized aircraft flight took place.
The first issue of Vogue magazine was published.
The Aztec Sun Stone was discovered in Mexico City.
Pope Paul III excommunicated King Henry VIII of England.
The festival of Saturnalia was first celebrated after a temple to the Roman god Saturn was built in Rome.
