Cleveland History

  1. Early December 1937: The Severance Hall, home of the Cleveland Orchestra, officially opened its doors to the public. This event marked the establishment of one of the city’s most prestigious cultural landmarks, renowned for its unique architectural design and acoustics.
  2. December 4, 1975: Cleveland’s Playhouse Square was added to the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its architectural and cultural significance and marking a key step in the historic preservation of this theater district.
  3. December 5, 1796: The founding date of the city of Cleveland. General Moses Cleaveland and his surveying party arrived in the area, which later led to the establishment of the city (originally spelled ‘Cleaveland’).
  4. December 8, 1941: Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Cleveland, like many other U.S. cities, saw a surge in enlistment and war preparation activities, marking a significant shift in the city during World War II.
  5. December 9, 1978: The Cleveland Clinic fire, one of the deadliest hospital fires in U.S. history, occurred on this day. The fire resulted in the deaths of nine people and prompted nationwide changes in hospital safety standards and fire prevention methods.

World History

  1. December 4, 1952: The Great Smog of London begins, enveloping the city for five days and leading to thousands of premature deaths. This environmental tragedy later resulted in significant changes in environmental policies and public health awareness.
  2. December 5, 1933: The 21st Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, repealing the 18th Amendment and ending Prohibition, a nationwide constitutional ban on the production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages.
  3. December 6, 1877: The first edition of The Washington Post is published. The newspaper would go on to become one of the most significant publications in the United States, known for its political reporting.
  4. December 7, 1941: The Japanese Navy launches a surprise military strike against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, leading the United States to enter World War II.
  5. December 10, 1901: The first Nobel Prizes are awarded in Stockholm, Sweden, in the fields of Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature, and Peace, as per the will of inventor Alfred Nobel.