TUESDAY INHISTORY

Today is Tuesday, Dec. 5, the 339th day of 2017. There are 26 days left in the year.

Highlight in History:

On Dec. 5, 1952, the Great Smog of London descended on the British capital; the unusually thick fog, which contained toxic pollutants, lasted five days and was blamed for causing thousands of deaths.

On this date:

In1782, the eighth president of the United States, Martin Van Buren, was born in Kinderhook, N.Y.; he was the first chief executive to be born after American independence.

In 1792, George Washington was re-elected president; John Adams was re-elected vice president.

In 1831, former President John Quincy Adams took his seat as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

In 1933, national Prohibition came to an end as Utah became the 36th state to ratify the 21st Amendment to the Constitution, repealing the 18th Amendment.

In 1945, five U.S. Navy torpedo bombers mysteriously disappeared after taking off from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on a training mission with the loss of all 14 crew members; “The Lost Squadron” contributed to the legend of the Bermuda Triangle.

In 1977, Egypt broke diplomatic relations with Syria, Libya, Algeria, Iraq and South Yemen in the wake of criticism that followed President Anwar Sad at’ s peace overtures to Israel.

In 2013, Nelson Mandela, the anti-apartheid leader who became South Africa’s first black president, died at age 95.

Ten years ago: A 19-yearold gunman went on a shooting rampage at the Westroads Mall in Omaha, Nebraska, killing six store employees and two customers before taking his own life.

Five years ago: Port clerks ended an eight-day strike at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach after winning guarantees against the outsourcing of jobs.

One year ago: Presidentelect Donald Trump chose retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson to be secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Today’s Birthdays: Singer Little Richard is 85. College Football Hall of Famer and former NFL quarterback Jim Plunkett is 70. Pro and College Football Hall of Famer Art Monk is 60. Rock singer-musician John Rzeznik is 52. Comedianactress Margaret Cho is 49. Writer-director Morgan J. Freeman is 48.

Thought for Today: “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” — Walt Disney, American movie producer (born this date in 1901, died 1966).