In History, Today on December 18

Argentina wins the FIFA World Cup for the third time, defeating France in the final held at Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar.

Super Typhoon Rai (known in the Philippines as Typhoon Odette) makes landfall in the Philippines, causing widespread devastation across Visayas and Mindanao regions.

The United States House of Representatives impeached President Donald Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, making him the third U.S. president to be impeached.

The United States National Security Strategy was released, emphasizing 'America First' and identifying China and Russia as competitors.

The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2254, endorsing a road map for a peace process in Syria and setting a timetable for talks between the Syrian government and opposition groups.

The United States and Cuba announced the beginning of the process to normalize diplomatic relations after more than 50 years of hostility.

The last convoy of U.S. troops left Iraq, marking the official end of the U.S. military mission in the country after nearly nine years of war.

The United States Senate voted to repeal the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy, allowing openly gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals to serve in the military.

The UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen ends: Also known as COP15, this conference ended without a binding agreement but resulted in a non-binding accord seen as a vital step toward addressing climate change.

The United Arab Emirates announced the establishment of a nuclear energy program, becoming the first country in the Gulf Cooperation Council to do so.

The first democratic parliamentary elections were held in Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein, marking a significant step in the country's political transition.

The Kyoto Protocol is adopted by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Larry Wall releases the first version of the Perl programming language.

The United States begins Operation Linebacker II, a massive bombing campaign against North Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

Capitol Reef National Park is established in Utah.

Saturn's moon Epimetheus is discovered by astronomer Richard Walker.

The world's first communications satellite, SCORE, is launched by the United States, broadcasting a Christmas message from President Eisenhower.

Japan is admitted to the United Nations.

The Supreme Court of the United States rules in the landmark case Korematsu v. United States, upholding the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II as constitutional.

Samuel Beckett, the Irish avant-garde novelist, playwright, and poet known for his play 'Waiting for Godot', publishes his first full-length prose work, 'Murphy'.

The Battle of Verdun ends in World War I with a French victory over German forces.

French scientist Marie and Pierre Curie discovered the radioactive element radium.

The first performance of Tchaikovsky's ballet 'The Nutcracker' takes place at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia.

The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution is declared ratified, abolishing slavery.

Charles Dickens's novella 'A Christmas Carol' was published, quickly becoming a classic work of English literature.

The national anthem of the United States, 'The Star-Spangled Banner,' was officially performed for the first time.

New Jersey becomes the third state to ratify the United States Constitution.

The United States holds a official Thanksgiving celebration, marking the date as the first national day of thanksgiving in the country after the British surrender at the Battle of Saratoga.

Abel Tasman, a Dutch navigator, becomes the first European to sight New Zealand.

The English ship Anne and Little James set sail from London to join the Plymouth Colony in America.

The Treaty of Basel was signed between Switzerland and France, marking an important step in the ongoing Italian Wars. This treaty granted Basel status as a free city within the Holy Roman Empire, affirming its position as a neutral entity in the conflicts between France and the Habsburgs.

Kublai Khan renames his empire 'Yuan', marking the beginning of the Yuan Dynasty in China.

Baldwin I was crowned as the first King of Jerusalem.

The Treaty of Bonn was signed between Charles the Simple, King of West Francia, and Henry the Fowler, King of East Francia, establishing peace between the two realms.

The Roman emperor Elagabalus was born.