On this day in 1836, Spain recognized Mexico’s independence.
On this day in 1908, the most violent earthquake ever recorded in Europe destroyed the city of Messina in Sicily, killing more than half of its 150,000 inhabitants and triggering a tidal wave.
On this day in 1912, city-run streetcars began operating in San Francisco.
And on this day in 1935, Politician Pavel Postyshev revived the New Year tree tradition in the Soviet Union. That’s after Pravda published his letter asking for them to be installed in schools, children's homes, Young Pioneer Palaces, children's clubs, children's theaters, and cinema theaters.