On this day: December 17
France recognizes America as a nation, the Wright brothers take flight, Tiny Tim marries Miss Vicki in front of millions of TV viewers, and Kim Jong-il dies, all on this day.
1989: The first episode of television series "The Simpsons," titled "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire," airs in the United States. The show originated as animated shorts that were a part of "The Tracey Ullman Show" for three seasons starting in April 1987. In 2009, "The Simpsons" surpassed "Gunsmoke" as the longest-running American primetime, scripted television series ever.
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