The first week of December in American history is marked by pivotal events that shaped the nation’s policy, social structure, and entry into global conflicts. Key historical moments include the establishment of the Monroe Doctrine, which defined U.S. foreign policy toward the Western Hemisphere; the ratification of the 13th Amendment, formally ending slavery; and the Attack on Pearl Harbor followed by the subsequent U.S. declaration of war on Japan, which propelled the country into World War II. This week also saw the repeal of Prohibition and the start of the influential Montgomery Bus Boycott.
December 2
- 1823 – Monroe Doctrine Proclaimed
In his annual message to Congress, President James Monroe declared a policy stating that any intervention by external powers in the politics of the Americas would be seen as a potentially hostile act against the U.S.
- 1954 – U.S. Senate Condemns Joseph McCarthy
The U.S. Senate voted 67-22 to condemn Senator Joseph McCarthy for his conduct, ending the political influence of his intense anti-Communist “witch hunt.”
December 3
- 1818 -Illinois Admitted to the Union
Illinois became the 21st state admitted to the United States. Its admission was a part of the rapid western expansion of the early 19th century.
- 1775 – First Official American Flag Raised on a Naval Vessel
During the American Revolutionary War, the Grand Union Flag—the first national flag of the United States—was raised aboard the Continental Navy ship Alfred in Philadelphia.
December 4
- 1783 -George Washington Bids Farewell to His Officers
Following the signing of the Treaty of Paris, which formally ended the Revolutionary War, General George Washington gathered his remaining officers at Fraunces Tavern in New York City to formally bid them farewell before resigning his commission.
- 1991 – Pan Am Ceases Operations
Pan American World Airways (Pan Am), once a symbol of American global travel and aviation prestige, officially ceased all operations.
December 5
- 1933 – Prohibition Repealed
The Twenty-first Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified when Utah became the 36th state to approve it. This amendment repealed the Eighteenth Amendment, officially ending Prohibition.
- 1955 – Montgomery Bus Boycott Begins
Following the arrest of Rosa Parks on December 1, community leaders in Montgomery, Alabama, began the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
December 6
- 1865 – 13th Amendment Ratified
The Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which officially abolished slavery and involuntary servitude was ratified after Georgia became the 27th state to approve it.
- 1884 – Washington Monument Completed
The Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., was structurally completed after nearly four decades of on-again, off-again construction.
December 7
- 1941 – Attack on Pearl Harbor
The Imperial Japanese Navy launched a surprise military strike against the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, providing the immediate cause for the United States’ entry into World War II.
- 1972 – Apollo 17 Launched
Apollo 17, the final mission of the U.S. Apollo program, was launched from Cape Kennedy, Florida.
December 8
- 1941 – U.S. Declares War on Japan
Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Congress voted overwhelmingly to declare war on Imperial Japan, officially bringing the United States into World War II.
- 1987 – Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty Signed
U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev signed the INF Treaty which eliminated all nuclear and conventional ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges of 500 to 5,500 kilometers.
