On this day: December 31
POSTED: 02:25 AM PST Dec 29, 2012
UPDATED: 11:00 PM PST Dec 30, 2012
Times Square holds its first New Year's Eve celebration, the board game Monopoly is patented, "Calvin and Hobbes" say goodbye, and the U.S. relinquishes control of the Panama Canal, all on this day.
Mario Anzuoni/Reuters
1943: Actor Ben Kingsley, best known for is Oscar-winning portrayal of Mohandas Gandhi in the 1982 film "Gandhi," is born in Snainton, North Riding of Yorkshire, England. Kingsley, seen here at left with fellow actor Bruce Willis, is also known for roles in movies such as "Bugsy," "Schindler's List," "House of Sand and Fog," "Sexy Beast" and "Hugo."
