It's New Years Eve Eve, today!!


1916 ~ Rasputin, the "Mad Monk" was finally killed by a group of Russian aristocrats, after being; poisoned (cakes AND wine!), shot (twice), bludgeoned and then stabbed. Still not dead, he was tied up and thrown in the River Neva, where his body was washed up several weeks later!


1853 ~ The United States bought some 45,000 sq mi of land from Mexico in the Gadsden Purchase.


1896 ~ Jose Rizal, national hero of the Philippine Revolution, was executed by firing-squad by the Spanish.


1911 ~ Sun Yat-sen was elected the first president of the Republic of China.


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


1924 ~ Edwin Hubble announced the existence of other galactic systems.


1972 ~ President Nixon halted the heavy bombing on North Vietnam.


1993 ~ Israel and the Vatican signed an agreement of mutual recognition to put an end to Jewish-Christian hostilities.

__________________
The selfish, they're all standing in line
Faithing and hoping to buy themselves time
Me, I figure as each breath goes by
I only own my mind