Chris Chaberski
This Day in History for January 1 — Emancipation Proclamation Signed, and More
Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history:
1863: President Abraham Lincoln signs the final Emancipation Proclamation, ending slavery in the rebelling states (more info)
1934: Alcatraz Island becomes a United States federal prison (more info)
New Movies This Week — ‘Django Unchained,’ ‘Les Miserables,’ ‘Parental Guidance’ and More
It's a busy time at the movies these days. Studios are trying to get all their releases in before the December 31 Oscar deadline, and they're also vying for your precious holiday dollar. This week's offerings include a few that came out on Christmas—Quentin Tarantino's latest, an adaptation of a much loved musical, a family comedy, and a documentary about the justice system—and the first collabora
2 Firefighters Shot and Killed at Scene of Fire in Webster, N.Y.; Gunman Dead (UPDATED)
UPDATE 4:07 p.m. EST: Authorities have identified the gunman as William Spengler, an ex-convict who spent 17 years in prison for murdering his 92-year-old grandmother in 1980.
Spengler was paroled for the crime in 1998.
Police also have not located Spengler's 67-year-old sister, who lived in the house with Spengler.
Authorities also report that a total of seven houses were destroyed in the blaze.
New Movies This Weekend — ‘Jack Reacher,’ ‘This Is 40,’ ‘On the Road’ and More
This weekend sees a variety of new releases, from star-studded Hollywood action and big-name comedy, to smaller, art-house fare and an animated classic now in 3-D. And that’s not even including next Tuesday’s Christmas openings, which, all combined, makes for a very busy—and very fun—holiday moviegoing experience.
National Rifle Association Finally Breaks Its Silence
The National Rifle Association went quiet after last week's shootings in Newtown, Connecticut, and many have been wondering what the gun-advocacy group would have to say. On Tuesday, the NRA released an official statement:
Westboro Baptist Church to Protest Newtown Funerals; Internet Retaliates
Members of the Westboro Baptist Church, known for protesting the funerals of U.S. armed servicemen and women, announced that they plan to picket the upcoming funerals of victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. This did not go over well on the Internet.
27 Dead, Including 20 Children, in Connecticut Elementary School Shooting (UPDATED)
NOTE: This post will be continually updated as new information comes in. Video and photos are below. All times Eastern.
UPDATE 6:30 p.m.: Originally it was thought that Adam Lanza, the gunman, shot his mother at the Sandy Hook Elementary school, where she was a teacher's aide. ABC has learned that, in fact, Nancy Lanza was killed at her home (by her son) prior to the massacre. He then drove to the
This Day in History for December 7 — Attack on Pearl Harbor, and More
Here’s a look at some events that took place on this day in history:
1787: Delaware becomes the first state to ratify the United States Constitution (more info)
1941: In an early-morning sneak attack, Japanese warplanes bomb the U.S. naval base at Oahu Island's Pearl Harbor, causing the United States to enter World War II (more info)
Jared Loughner Sentenced to Life in Prison Without Parole
In a federal court today in Tuscon, Arizona, Jared Loughner received a life sentence without parole for his shooting rampage in January 2011 that killed six people and wounded 13, including then-U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords (D.-Ariz.).
Hurricane Sandy’s Aftermath: What Happened, What We Know Now [VIDEO]
This morning, much of the East Coast is picking up the pieces after the massive storm known as Hurricane Sandy swept through, leaving millions without power, causing untold economic damage, and killing at least 21 people. Flooding caused largely by enormous, unprecedented storm surges has crippled transportation routes and wreaked havoc on low-lying areas.