In History, Today on December 2

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) marked its 70th anniversary with a summit in London, where leaders discussed issues such as defense spending and the strategic direction of the alliance.

Qatar announces its decision to leave the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) after nearly 60 years of membership, effective January 2019, to focus on its natural gas production.

The United States Senate passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, a major overhaul of the U.S. tax code, which included significant tax cuts for individuals and corporations.

A fire broke out during a concert at the Ghost Ship warehouse in Oakland, California, killing 36 people. The tragedy highlighted issues of building safety and code violations in artist spaces.

A mass shooting occurred at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, California, resulting in 14 deaths and 22 injuries. The attack was carried out by a married couple, Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik, and was later classified as an act of terrorism.

NASA's Orion spacecraft successfully completed its first test flight, marking a significant milestone in the future of human space exploration beyond low Earth orbit.

A peaceful demonstration in Kyiv, Ukraine, escalated into a significant protest against the government, marking a crucial moment in the Euromaidan movement.

Global emissions reach a record high, with the International Energy Agency reporting an all-time high in carbon dioxide emissions from fuel combustion, further sparking global discussions about climate change policy.

NASA announced the discovery of the bacterium GFAJ-1, which was able to incorporate arsenic into its DNA, challenging the traditional understanding of the biochemistry of life.

The Treaty of Lisbon comes into effect, amending the two treaties which form the constitutional basis of the European Union.

The Civil Partnership Act 2004, which grants same-sex couples in England and Wales legal recognition as 'civil partners', comes into effect.

Enron Corporation, once the seventh largest company in the United States, filed for bankruptcy protection, marking the largest bankruptcy in U.S. history at the time.

UK devolved power to its national parliaments when the Scottish Parliament and the National Assembly for Wales acquired legislative authority.

NASA launched the Space Shuttle Endeavour on a mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope.

The first test run for the Channel Tunnel, known as the Chunnel, took place, marking a significant engineering achievement in creating the underwater rail link between the UK and France.

Barney Clark became the first human to receive a permanent artificial heart, the Jarvik-7, in a surgery performed by Dr. William DeVries.

The United Arab Emirates was formed as a federation of six emirates, with a seventh joining in February 1972.

Cuban leader Fidel Castro declared that he was a Marxist-Leninist and that Cuba was going to adopt socialism in line with the Soviet Union.

Fidel Castro and his followers landed in Cuba aboard the yacht Granma, beginning the Cuban Revolution.

The United States Senate voted to censure Senator Joseph McCarthy for his conduct during the anti-communist hearings.

The first controlled nuclear chain reaction was initiated by Enrico Fermi and his team at the University of Chicago, marking the beginning of the Atomic Age.

The Ford Model A was launched, marking a significant advancement in automobile design and manufacturing after the success of the Model T.

Albert Einstein presented his groundbreaking theory of general relativity, which fundamentally altered the understanding of gravitational forces.

Pu Yi was appointed Emperor of the Qing dynasty at the age of two following the death of his uncle, the Guangxu Emperor.

Militant abolitionist John Brown was executed for his role in the raid on Harpers Ferry.

Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte declared himself Emperor Napoleon III, establishing the Second French Empire.

Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte staged a coup d'état, dissolving the French National Assembly and establishing himself as the ruler of France.

Franz Joseph I became Emperor of Austria following the abdication of his uncle, Ferdinand I.

U.S. President James Monroe delivered the Monroe Doctrine, a key policy statement warning European nations against colonizing or interfering in the Americas.

Napoleon Bonaparte was crowned Emperor of the French at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.

The Battle of Hohenlinden, a significant battle during the War of the Second Coalition, was fought between the French army led by Jean Victor Marie Moreau and the forces of Austria and Bavaria.

St Paul's Cathedral, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, was consecrated in London.

The Siege of Boulogne ends as the city is handed back to France under the terms of the Treaty of Boulogne. This marked the end of hostilities between England and France in this conflict.

Saint Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia, is posthumously declared a martyr and saint, having been assassinated by his brother Boleslaus the Cruel in 935.

The Battle of Bakhamra takes place, where the Abbasid Caliphate defeats the Alid rebels in Iraq, solidifying Abbasid control.

The Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius grants his son Commodus the title of Imperator, marking Commodus's first official recognition as co-emperor.