On December 18, 2019, the U.S. House of Representatives impeached President Donald Trump on two charges: abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. This marked the first of two impeachment trials for Trump, both of which ultimately ended in acquittal by the Senate. The House's decision sent Trump's case to the Senate for trial, highlighting the deep political divisions within the country [5dda61a9].
Additionally, December 18 has been a notable date in history for several other significant events. In 1957, the Shippingport Atomic Power Station in Pennsylvania became the first nuclear facility in the United States to generate electricity, marking a milestone in the development of nuclear power [5dda61a9].
The 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery, was declared in effect on this day in 1865, a pivotal moment in American history. Furthermore, the 18th Amendment, which prohibited alcohol, was passed in 1917, initiating Prohibition in the United States [5dda61a9].
In more recent history, December 18, 2011, marked the day when the last U.S. troops left Iraq, concluding a significant chapter in American military involvement in the Middle East. Lastly, in 2022, Argentina triumphed over France to win the World Cup, adding to the day's historical significance in the realm of sports [5dda61a9].