On this day in history - December 15

What Happened On This Day – December 15

• 2009 Maiden flight of Boeing 787 Dreamliner

  Considered to be one of Boeing's most fuel-efficient airplanes, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner has suffered from problems associated with its lithium-ion batteries.

• 1978 US recognizes China

  30 years after the creation of the People's Republic of China, President Jimmy Carter announced that the United States would formally recognize the communist country starting January 1, 1979. The announcement also called for the severing of relations with Taiwan, a position that was quickly reversed under protests.

• 1939 Premier of the Gone with the Wind

  The award winning film was adapted from the Pulitzer winner Margaret Mitchell's book by the same name.

• 1933 Twenty-first Amendment to U.S. Constitution comes into effect

  Ratified on December 5 of the same year, the amendment repealed the prohibition on alcohol in the United States which had come into force on January 17, 1920, when the 18th amendment took effect.

• 1791 U.S. Bill of Rights becomes law

  The first 10 amendments to the Constitution of the United States are known as the Bill of Rights. They became law after Virginia ratified the amendments.