What Happened on December 22?
December 22 is National Date Nut Bread Day — bake a sweet loaf — on the same date electric Christmas lights debuted in 1882, McAuliffe said 'Nuts!' at Bastogne in 1944, and Debussy's Afternoon of a Faun premiered in 1894.
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1807 — President Jefferson signs the Embargo Act of 1807
On December 22, 1807, Thomas Jefferson signed the Embargo Act — halting most American overseas trade to pressure Britain and France. Read the full story →
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1882 — Edward H. Johnson displays the first electric Christmas tree lights
On December 22, 1882, inventor Edward H. Johnson — a partner of Thomas Edison — lit a revolving tree with red, white, and blue electric bulbs in New York City. Read the full story →
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1894 — Debussy's Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun premieres in Paris
On December 22, 1894, Claude Debussy's Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun first enchanted a Paris audience — a landmark of musical Impressionism. Read the full story →
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1941 — Winston Churchill arrives in Washington for wartime talks with FDR
On December 22, 1941, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill reached Washington, D.C., to plan strategy with President Franklin D. Roosevelt after Pearl Harbor. Read the full story →
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1944 — General McAuliffe answers 'Nuts!' to a German surrender demand at Bastogne
On December 22, 1944, during the Battle of the Bulge, U.S. General Anthony McAuliffe replied 'Nuts!' when Germans demanded Bastogne's surrender. Read the full story →
Famous birthdays
Giacomo Puccini (1858–1924) · Lady Bird Johnson (1912–2007) · Diane Sawyer (1945) · Ralph Fiennes (1962)
Days & observances
National Date Nut Bread Day · Forefathers' Day · National Cookie Exchange Day · Christmas Lights Safety Day