December 5, 1978The USSR and Afghanistan sign a 20-year treaty of friendship.

December 6, 1921Irelands 26 southern counties become independent from Britain. The partition creates Northern Ireland.

December 7, 1975 Indonesia invades East Timor nine days after the Timorese political party Fretilin claims independence. Some 600,000 are killed after a prolonged war.

December 8, 1941The United States enters World War II as Congress declares war against