Dec. 31, 1929 - Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians played "Auld Lang Syne" as a New Year's Eve song for the first time.

Dec. 30, 1953 - The first color TV sets went on sale for about $1,175.

Dec. 29, 1848 - U.S. President James Polk turned on the first gas light at the White House.

Dec. 28, 1945 - The U.S. Congress officially recognized the "Pledge of Allegiance."

Dec. 27, 1932 - Radio City Music Hall opened its doors to the public for the first time.

Dec. 26, 1865 - The coffee percolator was patented by James H. Mason.

Dec. 25, 1818 - "Silent Night" was performed for the first time at the Church of St. Nikolaus in Oberndorff, Austria.

Dec. 24, 1953 - NBC-TV's "Dragnet" became the first network program to be sponsored.

Dec. 23, 1913 - The Federal Reserve Bill was signed into law by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson. The act established 12 Federal Reserve Banks.

Dec. 22, 1895 - German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen made the first X-ray. It was of his wife's hand.

Dec. 21, 1620 - The "Mayflower" landed at Plymouth Rock, MA.

Dec. 20, 1803 - The United States purchased the Louisiana Territories from France for $15 million.

Dec. 19, 1843 - Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" was first published in England.

Dec. 18, 1865 - Slavery was abolished in the United States with the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution being ratified.

Dec. 17, 1843 - "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens was published.

Dec. 16, 1972 - The Miami Dolphins became the first NFL team to go unbeaten and untied in a 14-game regular season.

Dec. 15, 1938 - President Franklin D. Roosevelt presided over the groundbreaking ceremonies for the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC.

Dec. 14, 1946 - The U.N. General Assembly voted to establish the United Nation's headquarters in New York.

Dec. 13, 1978 - The Philadelphia Mint began stamping the Susan B. Anthony U.S. dollar.

Dec. 12, 1899 - George Grant patented the golf tee.

Dec. 11, 1941 - Germany and Italy declared war on the United States. The U.S in turn declared war on the two countries.

Dec. 10, 1906 - U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt became the first American to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Dec. 9, 1793 - "The America Minerva" was published for the first time. It was the first daily newspaper in New York City.

Dec. 8, 1941 - The United States entered World War II as it declared war against Japan....one day after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.

Dec. 7, 1972 - Apollo 17 was launched at Cape Canaveral. It was the last U.S. moon mission.

Dec. 6, 1865 - The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified. The amendment abolished slavery in the U.S.

Dec. 5, 1782 - The first native U.S. president, Martin Van Buren, was born in Kinderhook, NY.

Dec. 4, 1942 - U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered the dismantling of the Works Progress Administration.

Dec. 3, 1835 - In Rhode Island, the Manufacturer Mutual Fire Insurance Company issued the first fire insurance policy.

Dec. 2, 1901 - Gillette patented the KC Gillette Razor. It was first razor with a permanent handle and disposable double-edge razor blades.

Dec. 1, 1913 - The first drive-in automobile service station opened, in Pittsburgh, PA.