On December 26, 1941, weeks after the Japanese attack on the U.S. Navy in Hawai’i, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill addressed the United States Congress, Supreme Court justices, and cabinet secretaries.

Regarding Japan, Churchill asked, “Is it possible that they do not realize that we shall never cease to persevere against them until they have been taught a lesson which they and the world will never forget?” Regarding Germany he said, “With proper weapons and proper organization, we can beat the life out of the savage Nazi.”

On this date in 1986, pilots Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager landed the airplane Voyager to complete the world’s first nonstop, around-the-globe flight without refueling.

On December 20, 1989, the United States invaded Panama to topple its government and capture General Manuel Noriega.