On this date in 2010, Haiti was struck by a magnitude-7 earthquake. 46,000 –  85,000 persons died.

In 2000, in a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court gave police broad authority to stop and question persons who run at the sight of policemen.

In 1995, the daughter of Malcolm X was charged with conspiracy to murder Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan.

In 1915, the United States House of Representatives rejected a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would allow women citizens to vote.

 In the “Gadsden Purchase” of 1853, The United States of America bought 45,000 square miles of land from the United States of Mexico.

In 1922, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was established through the confederation of Russia, Byelorussia, Ukraine, and Transcaucasian Federation.

In 1972, U.S. President Nixon ordered a halt of heavy bombing of North Vietnam.

In 2006, three years and two weeks after his capture, Iraqi Saddam Hussein was hung until death.

On December 12, 1963, Kenya gained its independence from Britain.