This Week in History: From Presidential Impeachment to Devastating Tsunami

A look back at significant historical events, including the impeachment of President Bill Clinton, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and the death of Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu.

Overview

Today in history, on December 19, 1998, President Bill Clinton was impeached by the Republican-controlled House for perjury and obstruction of justice.
On December 27, 1979, Soviet forces seized control of Afghanistan, overthrowing and executing President Hafizullah Amin, who was replaced by Babrak Karmal.
General George Washington and his troops crossed the Delaware River for a surprise attack against Hessian forces at Trenton, New Jersey, during the American Revolutionary War on December 25, 1776.
On December 26, 2004, a 100-foot-high tsunami triggered by a 9.1-magnitude earthquake beneath the Indian Ocean killed more than 230,000 people, mostly in southern Asia.
South African Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu, an uncompromising foe of apartheid and a modern-day activist for racial justice and LGBT rights, died in 2021.