1865

The 13th Amendment to the Constitution, abolishing slavery, was declared in effect.

1892

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s ballet “The Nutcracker” publicly premiered in St. Petersburg, Russia.

1917

Congress passed the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibiting “the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors” and sent it to the states for ratification.

1957

The Shippingport Atomic Power Station in Pennsylvania, the first nuclear facility to generate electricity in the United States, went on line.

2019

The U.S. House impeached President Donald Trump on two charges, sending his case to the Senate for trial; the articles of impeachment accused him of abusing the power of the presidency to investigate rival Joe Biden ahead of the 2020 election and then obstructing Congress’ investigation.

Birthdays

Chef Jacques Pépin is 89. Rock musician Keith Richards is 81. Filmmaker Alan Rudolph is 81. Filmmaker Steven Spielberg is 78. R&B singer Angie Stone is 63. Actor Brad Pitt is 61. Singer Alejandro Sanz is 56. Country singer Randy Houser is 49. Actor Katie Holmes is 46. Singer Christina Aguilera is 44. Singer Billie Eilish is 23.