1. December 2, 1823: The Monroe Doctrine was articulated by the fifth president of the United States, James Monroe. In his annual message to Congress, he warned European nations not to interfere in the affairs of the newly independent nations of Central and South America.

2. December 2, 1863: President Abraham Lincoln delivered his annual message to Congress and formally introduced the idea of abolishing slavery in the United States through the proposed 13th Amendment to the Constitution.

3. December 2, 1927: The famous Supreme Court case Buck v. Bell was argued in the District of Columbia. The case upheld the Virginia law allowing for the involuntary sterilization of people deemed "unfit" to procreate, setting a precedent for similar laws in other states.

4. December 2, 1972: The Washington, D.C. Metro system opened its first segment, with five stations connecting downtown Washington to Silver Spring, Maryland.

5. December 2, 2004: The World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. was dedicated, honoring the 16 million people who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during the war.