Today in History - History - December 23rd

1783General George Washington resigns his military commission as Commander-in-Chief of the Army to Congress

1930Bette Davis arrives in Hollywood under contract to Universal Studios

1862Union General Ben "Beast" Butler is proclaimed a "felon, outlaw & common enemy of mankind" by Jefferson Davis

1994Fearing arrest by the FBI, Whitey Bulger flees Boston, and successfully hides from law enforcement for the next 16 years

1888Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh cuts off his left ear

1776Thomas Paine writes "These are the times that try men's souls"

1793Thomas Jefferson warned of slave revolts in West Indies

1779Benedict Arnold court-martialed for improper conduct

1997Chicago Bulls coach Phil Jackson is quickest to reach 500 wins (682 games)

1997Colorado Avalanche Jari Kurri is 8th NHLer to score 600 career goals

245Zenobia, Palmyra, Syria, Queen of Palmyra, (d. 274)

1805Joseph Smith Jr, Sharon Vermont, founder (Mormon Church), (d. 1844)

1867Madame C. J. Walker, Louisiana, cosmetic mogul (Madam C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company), (d. 1919)

1891Cy Denneny, Farran's Point Ontario, Canadian ice hockey hall of famer

1981Astronaut Chris Hadfield (22) weds high-school girlfriend Helene Walter

2007"Dr. Izzie Stevens" actress Katherine Heigl (29) weds singer-songwriter Josh Kelley (27) at Stein Eriksen Lodge in Park City, Utah

1979Stevie Ray Vaughan (25) weds Lenora "Lenny" Bailey (div. 1988)

1961Actor Martin Sheen (21) weds Janet Templeton

1951MLB centerfielder Mickey Mantle (20) weds author Merlyn Mantle (19) in Commerce, Oklahoma

1847Prime Minister of Canada Mackenzie Bowell (24) weds Harriet Moore