French scientists Pierre and Marie Curie discovered radium.
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The first manned Moon voyage, the Apollo 8, launched with Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, and William Anders.
Antonov An-255 Mriya, the largest airplane in the world, flew for the first time.
A Mongol horde led by Batu Khan conquered and sacked the Russian city of Ryazan.
The first feature-length silent film comedy, 'Tillie's Punctured Romance,' was released, starring Marie Dressler, Mabel Normand, and Charlie Chaplin.
The first crossword puzzle was printed.
