On this day, Dec. 23

1783 George Washington resigned as commander in chief of the Continental Army and retired to his home at Mount Vernon, Va.

1913 The Federal Reserve System was created as President Woodrow Wilson signed the Federal Reserve Act.

1952 Two ultra-high frequency television stations were authorized for Pittsburgh by the Federal Communications Commission; they were channels 16 and 47.

1978 “Lonesome George,” the Pittsburgh Zoo’s only gorilla, died.

1986 The experimental airplane Voyager, piloted by Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager, completed the first nonstop, non-refueled round-the-world flight as it returned safely to Edwards Air Force Base in California.

2004 Former Miami Dolphins head coach Dave Wannstedt was named the new head coach of the University of Pittsburgh football team. After playing offensive tackle at Pitt from 197073, Wannstedt began his 30-year coaching career as a graduate assistant with the Panthers in 1975.

Some items are from Stefan Lorant’s “Pittsburgh: The Story of an American City” (digital.library.pitt.edu/chronology).

— Compiled by Rick Nowlin Today’s birthdays: Actor Ronnie Schell, 89. Former Emperor Akihito of Japan, 87. Actor Frederic Forrest, 84. Rock musician Jorma Kaukonen, 80. Rock musician Ron Bushy, 79. Actor-comedian Harry Shearer, 77. U.S. Army Gen. Wesley K. Clark (ret.), 76. Actor Susan Lucci, 74. Singer-musician Adrian Belew, 71. Rock musician Dave Murray (Iron Maiden), 64. Actor Joan Severance, 62. Singer Terry Weeks, 57. Rock singer Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam), 56. The former first lady of France, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, 53. Rock musician Jamie Murphy, 45. Jazz musician Irvin Mayfield, 43. Actor Estella Warren, 42. Actor Elvy Yost, 33. Actor Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, 30. Actor Spencer Daniels, 28. Actor Caleb Foote, 27.

Thought for today: “If you want to do things, do things.”

— Grace Paley, American writer (1922-2007)