History Today: Clinton Impeached, Hitler Seizes Army, Hong Kong Returns, Dickens' Carol Published

• December 19, 1998: US House impeached President Bill Clinton for perjury and obstruction of justice related to Monica Lewinsky, making him the second US president impeached.
• December 19, 1941: Adolf Hitler assumed direct command of the German armed forces, centralizing power and contributing to Germany's eventual defeat in WWII.
• December 19, 1984: Britain and China signed the Sino-British Joint Declaration, agreeing to return Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty in 1997 under "one country, two systems."
• December 19, 1843: Charles Dickens published "A Christmas Carol," a novella that reshaped Christmas traditions and emphasized generosity and social responsibility.
• Clinton was later acquitted by the Senate, but the impeachment marked a significant political crisis and set a precedent for future proceedings.

Why It Matters: Four pivotal historical events unfolded on December 19, from Clinton's impeachment to Dickens' classic.