Today is Wednesday, December 12th, the 346th day of the year. There are 19 days until the end of the year.
On this day:
In 1899, the wooden golf tee was patented by George Grant of Boston, Massachusetts.
In 1900, Charles M. Schwab formed the United States Steel Corporation. It became one of the richest companies in the world.
In 1939, legendary actor Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., died at the age of 56. He starred in several films including "The Three Musketeers" and "Robin Hood." He was also the co-founder of United Artists.
In 1946, Tide detergent was first introduced.
In 1971, NBC and RCA founder David Sarnoff died at the age of 80.
In 1975, Sara Jane Moore pled guilty to charges of trying kill President Gerald Ford in San Francisco. She was sentenced to life in prison but released on parole in 2007 after serving 32 years of her life sentence.
In 1980, a notebook of writings by Leonardo da Vinci sold for just over five-million-dollars at a London auction. Oil tycoon Armand Hammer made the purchase.
In 1999, "Catch-22" author Joseph Heller died in New York at the age of 76.
In 2000, a divided U.S. Supreme Court reversed a state court decision for recounts in Florida's contested presidential election. The decision effectively transformed George W. Bush into the president-elect.
In 2006, Emmy-winning actor Peter Boyle died after a long battle with multiple myeloma and heart disease. He was 71. Boyle played the dancing monster in the 1974 movie "Young Frankenstein," but was best known for playing cantankerous characters such as grouchy father Frank Barone in the TV series "Everybody Loves Raymond."
In 2007, rock 'n roll pioneer Ike Turner died at his home in San Marcos, California. He was 76. Credited as an architect of the rock 'n roll genre, Turner's musical talent was often overshadowed by his well-publicized struggles with drug abuse and his abuse against his ex-wife, Tina Turner.
In 2012, many observed the day 12-12-12 for its unique status as the last date in the century with the same number month, day and year. Thousands of couples chose the day to get married.
In 2012, Pope Benedict the 16th sent out his very first tweet through his personal Twitter account using the handle @pontifex. His message read "Dear friends, I am pleased to get in touch with you through Twitter. Thank you for your generous response. I bless all of you from my heart."
In 2015, Alabama Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry won the 2015 Heisman Trophy.
In 2015, the global climate agreement was reached on this day. The landmark agreement reached in Paris calls on nations to reduce carbon emissions over the next few decades. It also provides billions of dollars for developing countries to help with their transition to a greener economy.
In 2015, for the first time in Saudi Arabia's history, women voted and ran for office.