In History, Today on December 14

The St. Lucia's flood, one of the most catastrophic floods in recorded history, struck the Netherlands and Northern Germany, resulting in the deaths of approximately 50,000 people.

Princess Mary Stuart was born, who would later become Mary, Queen of Scots, a significant figure in the history of Scotland and England.

Alabama was admitted as the 22nd state of the United States of America.

Max Planck presented his quantum theory at the German Physical Society, marking the birth of quantum mechanics.

Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen became the first person to reach the South Pole, marking a significant achievement in the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration.

The League of Nations expelled the Soviet Union in response to its invasion of Finland, an event that highlighted the weaknesses of the League in maintaining global peace.

NASA's Mariner 2 spacecraft became the first to conduct a successful flyby of Venus, providing valuable data about the planet's atmosphere and surface.

Apollo 17 astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt completed the last manned moonwalk of the Apollo program.

Israel annexed the Golan Heights, a move that was not internationally recognized and remains a point of contention in Middle Eastern geopolitics.

Wilma Mankiller became the first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, marking a significant milestone in Native American history and women's leadership.

The Millau Viaduct, the world's tallest bridge, was officially opened in France.

During a press conference in Baghdad, Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi threw his shoes at U.S. President George W. Bush, an act of protest against the U.S. invasion of Iraq.

The Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting occurred in Newtown, Connecticut, resulting in the deaths of 26 people, including 20 children.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to repeal net neutrality rules in the United States, which had been implemented in 2015 to ensure equal access to the internet.