On this day: December 17
POSTED: 01:50 PM PST Dec 14, 2012
UPDATED: 11:00 PM PST Dec 16, 2012
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.
Erik de Castro/Reuters
1978: Boxer and politician Manny Pacquiao, the first eight-division world champion, is born in Kibawe, Bukidnon, Philippines. He was named "Fighter of the Decade" for the 2000s by the Boxing Writers Association of America, World Boxing Council and World Boxing Organization. He was also long rated as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world by several sporting news and boxing websites.
