Good Morning! It’s Friday, December 20, 2024.  I am Dom Einhorn, your lead curator, and here are your insights into what makes this day in history relevant today. First time reading? Join our community of intellectually curious readers who explore the history behind every day. [Sign up here]

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Today in History

Marquee Event of the Day

> Berlin Wall opens for first time on December 20, 1963.

Two years after East Germany built the Berlin Wall to stop citizens from fleeing, nearly 4,000 West Berliners were allowed to visit relatives in East Berlin. An agreement between East and West Berlin led to over 170,000 one-day passes being issued.

Why this matters: The Berlin Wall symbolized Cold War divisions, separating communist East from democratic West Berlin. Built in 1961, it prevented East Germans from fleeing and highlighted global tensions. Its fall in 1989 marked the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe, German reunification, and the triumph of freedom over oppression.

Find out how much you know about the Berlin Wall with this special quiz.

Notable Events

• December 20, 1989 - The U.S. invades Panama. The United States launches an invasion of Panama to overthrow military dictator Manuel Noriega.

• December 20, 1924- Hitler Freed from Prison. Adolf Hitler is released from prison early, serving just nine months of a five-year sentence for the "Beer Hall Putsch.

• December 20, 1957 - Elvis Presley is drafted. While celebrating Christmas at Graceland, his newly purchased Tennessee mansion, rock-and-roll icon Elvis Presley receives his U.S. Army draft notice.

In partnership with Masters of Trivia
Knowledge Gamified

A recent MSN article titled “Top 10 Self-Made Entrepreneurs Who Turned Vision into Reality” featured Dom Einhorn, founder of Intelligent Games, in the #3 spot. For transparency, Intelligent Games is the parent company of both the KRONIKL newsletter and Masters of Trivia, the quiz platform linked to many topics featured in this newsletter. Additionally, the November 2024 issue of New York Weekly Magazine describes Masters of Trivia as follows:

Einhorn points to the company’s slogan to explain the value of Masters of Trivia’s platform. “Our slogan is ‘Knowledge Gamified’ and not ‘Gamified Knowledge’ for a good reason,” he explains. “We aim to educate and inform first and foremost, but we also know that most people need to be deeply engaged in the learning process. Hence, we added a heavy dose of entertainment and incentives to the mix.”

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Echoes in Time

Here are two events from December 20 that continue to resonate in the present day.

1. December 20, 1860 - South Carolina Secedes from the United States. 

Event: South Carolina became the first state to secede from the United States, setting the stage for the American Civil War. 

Lasting Significance: This pivotal event underscored deep national divisions over slavery and states' rights, leading to a conflict that would shape the nation's future.

2. December 20, 1999 - The Macau Handover.

Event: Macau was handed over from Portuguese to Chinese sovereignty, becoming a Special Administrative Region of China. 

Lasting Significance: This transfer marked the end of over four centuries of Portuguese colonial rule and exemplified China's "one country, two systems" approach, influencing future governance models for regions like Hong Kong.

In the Spotlight

Birthdays, Passings & Milestones
Highlighting the influential figures who were born or died on this day, along with their legacies.

• John Steinbeck (1902–1968) died on December 20, 1968 in New York City at age 66. Steinbeck was an acclaimed American author known for his vivid portrayal of social and economic struggles during the Great Depression. His iconic works include The Grapes of Wrath, Of Mice and Men, and East of Eden.

• Sandra Cisneros was born on December 20, 1954. Cisneros is a celebrated Mexican-American author best known for The House on Mango Street. Her work explores identity and culture, inspiring readers worldwide.

• Bob Hope becomes US Citizen on December 20, 1920 at  age 17. Bob Hope emigrated from England at age four.

Science & Discovery

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• December 20, 1879 - Edison Demonstrates Incandescent Light. Thomas Edison gives a private demonstration of the incandescent light at Menlo Park.

• December 20, 1790 - First US Cotton Mill. The first successful U.S. cotton mill, built by Samuel Slater using Richard Arkwright's design, begins spinning yarn in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

• December 20, 1892 - Pneumatic automobile tire patented, Syracuse, NY. The pneumatic automobile tire revolutionized transportation by providing a smoother and more efficient ride compared to solid rubber tires.

Today in Finance

Brought to you by Born2Invest.
Curated reads and interesting tidbits from the world of finance.

• December 20, 1971 - U.S. dollar devalued 8.57% overnight. Gold/dollar conversion price raised to $38 from $35 an ounce.

• December 20, 2011- $3.52, the closing price for Bitcoin on that day. At the time of this writing, Bitcoin trades above $100,000.

• December 20, 2001- Argentina defaults as the country falls into chaos. It was a dire time for Argentina: most of the government had resigned, massive protests filled the streets, banks restricted withdrawals, and the country remained mired in a four-year recession.

Today in Sports

Brought to you by The Hunslet Wolves, a new UK-based rugby franchise coached by the former defensive head coach of the French National Team, David Ellis.

• December 20, 1994. Ballon d'Or: Bulgarian forward Hristo Stoichkov of FC Barcelona is crowned Europe's best footballer, finishing ahead of Juventus striker Roberto Baggio and AC Milan defender Paolo Maldini.

• December 20, 1905 - O'Brien vs. Fitzsimmons. Philadelphia Jack O'Brien claims the World Light Heavyweight boxing title after defending champion Bob Fitzsimmons retires in the 13th round of their 20-round bout in San Francisco.

• December 20, 1891 - Strongman Louis Cyr withstands pull of 4 horses. Louis Cyr (1863–1912) was a Canadian strongman widely regarded as one of the strongest men in history, known for feats like lifting 500 pounds with one finger.

In the Arts Today

• December 20, 2002 - Gangs of New York, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Daniel Day-Lewis, and Cameron Diaz, is released.

• December 20, 2007 - Thieves steal Pablo Picasso’s Portrait of Suzanne Bloch (1904) and Candido Portinari’s O Lavrador de Café from the São Paulo Museum of Art.

• December 20, 1812 - "Grimm's Fairy Tales". Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm's “Grimm's Fairy Tales”, also known as Children's and Household Tales, is first published.

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The Rest of the Story

• December 20, 1192 - Richard the Lionheart Captured. Richard the Lionheart is captured near Vienna by Leopold of Austria while returning from the Third Crusade and is held until his release in 1194.

• December 20, 1522 - Knights of Rhodes Surrender. Suleiman the Magnificent accepts the surrender of the surviving Knights of Rhodes, allowing them to evacuate. They later settle in Malta, becoming the Knights of Malta.

• December 20, 1907- Explosion at Yolande Alabama, coal mine kills 57. The tragedy highlighted the need for improved mine safety.

• December 20, 1919 - Canadian National Railways established (North America's longest, 50,000 km).It united several railroads into a single nationalized system to enhance Canada's transportation network.

Quote of the Day

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Why KRONIKL? Inspired by the timeless concept of chronicles, KRONIKL is dedicated to bringing you the most intriguing, thought-provoking stories from this date. Culture, science, politics, and more — all condensed for a quick, insightful read that connects your present with our past.

*Disclosure: Masters of Trivia is a quiz platform founded by Dom Einhorn and owned by Intelligent Games LLC—the same company that brings you the KRONIKL newsletter.