New Jersey became the third state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, marking an important step in the formation of the United States.
in 1865:
Slavery was formally abolished in the United States when the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified. This amendment outlawed slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime.
in 1892:
Tchaikovsky's famous ballet, "The Nutcracker," with a score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and adapted from E.T.A. Hoffmann's story, premiered in St. Petersburg, Russia. It has since become a holiday tradition worldwide.
in 1916:
World War I: The Battle of Verdun concluded after ten months of intense fighting between the German and French armies. It resulted in massive casualties and is remembered as one of the longest and most devastating battles in history.
in 1944:
In a significant World War II event, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the wartime relocation of Japanese-Americans (Korematsu v. United States). This decision has been widely criticized and eventually discredited for its violation of civil liberties.
in 1973:
The United States and West Germany signed a treaty recognizing the East German government, marking a significant diplomatic move during the Cold War era.
These events span a range of historical, cultural, and political significance, marking December 18th as a date with several impactful occurrences throughout history and please feel free to cross-check all these facts!