Today in History 12/26 (Kwanzaa)

Celebrations: UnityCreativityFaithGiving gifts
Observed by: African Americans, parts of African diaspora
Significance: Celebrates African heritage, unity, and culture.
Related to: Pan-Africanism
Date: December 26 to January 1

Seven candles in a kinara symbolize the seven principles of Kwanzaa
wiki/Kwanzaa
(1966) The first Kwanzaa holiday is celebrated.
Also on this day,
1908 | Jack Johnson is first black heavyweight boxing champion
Also on this day,
1908 | Jack Johnson is first black heavyweight boxing champion
American fighter Jack Johnson, the son of two former slaves, defeats Canadian Tommy Burns in Sydney, Australia. The fight lasts 14 rounds until police stop it and the title is awarded to Johnson on a referee’s decision. Johnson will hold the title until 1915 when he’ll lose a grueling fight with a working cowboy.1972 | Former US President Harry Truman dies at age 88
The 33rd president of the US dies of multiple-organ failure after several weeks in the hospital. His wife, Bess, will opt for a small private burial in their hometown of Independence, Missouri, instead of a state funeral in DC, thinking it a more fitting goodbye for the down-to-earth Truman.2004 | Indian Ocean earthquake triggers tsunamis
A 9.3 magnitude underwater earthquake off the coast of Sumatra creates huge tsunamis that devastate Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, and other areas in the Indian Ocean, killing more than 230,000 people. Many of the countries hit lack tsunami warning systems, so people have little time to escape the deadly walls of water.
Today in History 12/26/17

Lived: May 08, 1884 - Dec 26, 1972 (age 88)
Height: 5' 8" (1.73 m)
Party: Democratic Party
TV shows: Truman
Successor: Dwight D. Eisenhower (President)
Education: University of Missouri–Kansas City · University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Law · William Chrisman High SchoolHighlights
- 1919: After his wartime service, Truman returned to Independence, where he married Bess Wallace on June 28, 1919.
- 1945: Truman was sworn in as vice president on January 20, 1945.
- 1945: After serving as a United States Senator from Missouri (1935–45) and briefly as Vice President (1945), he succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, upon the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt.
- 1950: On November 1, 1950, Puerto Rican nationalists Griselio Torresola and Oscar Collazo attempted to assassinate Truman at Blair House.
- 1953: When he left office in 1953, Truman was one of the most unpopular chief executives in history.
- 1957: He testified before Congress to have money appropriated to have presidential papers copied and organized, and was proud of the bill's passage in 1957.
1948 electoral vote results
wiki/Harry_S._Truman