25 Years Ago

December 5, 1980 The outgoing Carter administration suspends $25 million in aid to El Salvador following the murder of three American nuns and a lay worker. On December 13 José Napoleon Duarte becomes the first civilian since 1931 to lead the country, and four days later the United States restores $20 million in nonmilitary aid.

December 8, 1980 John Lennon is shot and killed in front of his apartment building in New York City by a crazed fan.

50 Years Ago

November 25, 1955 The Interstate Commerce Commission bans racial segregation on buses and trains that cross state lines.

December 5, 1955 The American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations merge to form the AFL-CIO. George Meany is put in charge of the combined group.

75 Years Ago

November 4, 1930 In midterm elections Democrats gain control of the House of Representatives by a seven-vote margin. They also gain eight seats in the Senate but remain barely in the minority.

December 20, 1930 In an attempt to improve the foundering economy, the lame-duck Congress appropriates $116 million for public works and an additional $45 million for drought relief.

150 Years Ago

November 21, 1855 Tensions between pro- and antislavery settlers in Kansas are further inflamed when a slavery advocate shoots a Free State man during a dispute. More than a thousand slavery supporters, many imported from Missouri, assemble outside the abolitionist town of Lawrence and threaten to attack it. In early December Gov. William Shannon negotiates a peace treaty that prevents any bloodshed.