December 30 ...

In 1853 the US bought about 45,000 square miles of land from Mexico in a deal known as the Gadsden Purchase. In 1865 author and poet Rudyard Kipling was born in Bombay, India. In 1879 Gilbert and Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance was first performed, at Paignton, Devon, England. In 1922 the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) was formed. In 1924 Edwin Hubble announced his discovery of the existence of other galactic systems. In 1936 the United Auto Workers union staged its first sit-down strike, at the Fisher Body Plant in Flint, MI. In 1944 King George II of Greece proclaimed a regency to rule his country, virtually renouncing the throne. In 1947 King Michael of Romania abdicated in favor of a Communist Republic, claiming he was forced from his throne. In 1953 the first color TV sets went on sale for about $1,175. In 1972 the US halted its heavy bombing of North Vietnam. In 1978 Ohio State University fired head football coach Woody Hayes, one day after Hayes punched Clemson University player Charlie Bauman during the Gator Bowl after Bauman had intercepted an Ohio State pass. In 1980 The Wonderful World of Disney was cancelled by NBC after more than 25 years on the TV; it was the longest-running series in prime-time television history. In 1993 Israel and the Vatican established diplomatic relations. In 1997 more than 400 people were massacred in four villages in the single worst incident during Algeria's insurgency.