12.18.15 CURRENT EVENTS ON THIS DAY: 1787 - New Jersey became the third state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. 1865 - Slavery was abolished in the United States with the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution being ratified. 1898 - A new automobile speed record was set at 39 mph (63 kph). 1903 - The Panama Canal Zone was acquired 'in perpetuity' by the U.S. for an annual rent. 1915 - U.S. President Wilson, widowed the year before, married Edith Bolling Galt. 1917 - The Eighteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was passed by the U.S. Congress. 1972 - The United States began the heaviest bombing of North Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The attack ended 12 days later. 1979 - Sound barrier broken on land for the first time by Stanley Barrett he drove at 739.6 mph. 1998 - The U.S. House of Representatives began the debate on the four articles of impeachment concerning U.S. President Bill Clinton. It was only the second time in U.S. history that process had begun. AGENDA: DEABTE #3 TODAY. READ & DISCUSS USA TODAY ARTICLES. GP FRIDAY: CHRIS MIKE BELL WORK: WHAT DO YOU LOOK FORWARD TO DOING OVER THE TWO WEEK VACATION?