Historical Events
- Dec 17 France issues the Milan Decree, which confirms the Continental System.
Embargo Act
Dec 22 US Congress passes Embargo Act and President Thomas Jefferson signs into law. Prohibits American ships from trading in foreign ports, as result of involvement in hostilities between France and Britain
Famous Birthdays
- Dec 17 John Greenleaf Whittier, American Quaker poet (Snow-bound) and advocate for the abolition of slavery, born in Haverhill, Massachusetts (d. 1892)
- Dec 20 Richard Lucian Page, US Navy officer (Confederate Army), born in Clarke County, Virginia (d. 1901)
- Dec 22 Johann Sebastian Welhaven, Norwegian poet, born in Bergen, Norway (d. 1873)
