Today in history: Dec. 1
In 1955, Rosa Parks, a Black seamstress, was arrested after refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a Montgomery, Alabama, city bus, and more events that happened on this day in history.
1955: Rosa Parks
In 1955, Rosa Parks, a Black seamstress, was arrested after refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a Montgomery, Alabama, city bus; the incident sparked a year-long boycott of the buses by Blacks.
1969: Draft Lottery
In 1969, the U.S. government held its first draft lottery since World War II.
1973: David Ben-Gurion
In 1973, David Ben-Gurion, Israel’s first prime minister, died in Tel Aviv at age 87.
1974: TWA Flight 514
In 1974, TWA Flight 514, a Washington-bound Boeing 727, crashed in Virginia after being diverted from National Airport to Dulles International Airport; all 92 people on board were killed.
1990: Channel Tunnel
In 1990, British and French workers digging the Channel Tunnel between their countries finally met after knocking out a passage in a service tunnel.
1991: Ukraine
In 1991, Ukrainians voted overwhelmingly for independence from the Soviet Union.
2009: Barack Obama
In 2009, President Barack Obama ordered 30,000 more U.S. troops into the war in Afghanistan but promised during a speech to cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point to begin withdrawals in 18 months.
2011: Bobby Valentine
Ten years ago: Bobby Valentine was named the 45th manager of the Boston Red Sox. (He would be fired after one season.)
2011: Hillary Clinton
Ten years ago: Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton met with opposition leader and Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi (ahng sahn soo chee) during a visit to Myanmar.
2016: Donald Trump
Five years ago: During the first stop of a “Thank you” tour, President-elect Donald Trump made a surprise announcement from the stage in Cincinnati, saying he had decided to offer the post of defense secretary to retired Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis.
2012: Jovan Belcher
Ten years ago: Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher fatally shot his girlfriend, Kasandra Perkins, then drove to Arrowhead Stadium and took his own life in front of the team’s coach and general manager.
2012: Enrique Pena Nieto
Enrique Pena Nieto took the oath of office as Mexico’s new president, vowing to restore peace and security.
2017: Michael Flynn
Five years ago: Retired general Michael Flynn, who served as President Donald Trump’s first national security adviser, pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about reaching out to the Russians on Trump’s behalf. (Flynn would be pardoned by Trump after twice pleading guilty to lying to the FBI.)
Here's the latest news from around the world — plus today's forecast, celebrity birthdays and a look back at this day in history.