1903. In Chicago, a blaze even deadlier than the so-called Great Fire of more than 20 years earlier. About 600 people are killed within minutes, when fire breaks out at the recently opened Iroquois Theater.

1922. More than 5 years after the Bolshevik Revolution, Vladimir Lenin proclaims the establishment of the Soviet Union, the world’s first Communist state.

1936. The United Auto Workers Union stages its first sit-down strike at the Fisher Body Plant No.1 in Flint, Michigan. The strike forces automaker GM to recognize the UAW, a move that leads to the unionization of the American auto industry.

1948. “So in love, with you am I…” In New York, the Cole Porter musical comedy, "Kiss Me, Kate", opens on Broadway.

1975. Golfer Tiger Woods is born.

And 1928. “Bo Diddley bought his babe a diamond ring, if that diamond ring don't shine…”Singer and musician Bo Diddley, one of the guiding lights of early Rock ’n’ Roll, is born in McComb, Mississippi.

Today in History, December 30th, Ed Donahue, the Associated Press.