1. On December 21, 1799, George Washington passed away at his Mount Vernon estate in Virginia at the age of 67. He was the first President of the United States and played a crucial role in the nation's founding.
2. In 1853, the Washington Monument Society was formed on December 21st in order to raise funds for the construction of a monument dedicated to George Washington. The monument was eventually completed in 1885, standing at 555 feet tall.
3. On December 21, 1879, the Washington, D.C. public library system was established. Although it was initially small, it grew over the years and now consists of 26 branches throughout the city.
4. The United States Department of Agriculture was officially created on December 21, 1889, under President Benjamin Harrison. Today, the USDA is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of food and agricultural products in the United States.
5. In 1985, a bomb exploded at the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. on December 21st. Fortunately, no one was injured in the attack, but it caused significant damage to the building. The perpetrators were eventually apprehended and convicted for their role in the bombing.