December 17, 1903 The Wright brothers’ Flyer I flies for 12 seconds in the first airplane flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, USA. It is not until 1908, after making many refinements to their flying machine, that the Wrights embark on a series of public demonstrations that finally earn them worldwide acclaim.

December 18, 1271 Kublai Khan names his empire Yuan, officially marking the beginning of the Yuan dynasty in China.

December 19, 1