December 24

Cadets at the United States Military Academy smuggled whiskey into their Christmas celebrations, mixing it into eggnog despite academy regulations. As intoxication spread, so did disorder—fights broke out, windows were smashed, and weapons were brandished. Officers attempted to restore order under fire, and guards fired shots to disperse the rioters. By dawn, the so-called "Eggnog Riot" had left many cadets disciplined or dismissed. The incident highlighted challenges in enforcing discipline and contributed to reforms in academy policies and oversight.

In the aftermath of the American Civil War, ex-Confederate veterans formed the Ku Klux Klan as a secret society aimed at resisting Reconstruction and maintaining white supremacy. Masked members used intimidation, violence, and terror against freed African Americans and their allies. The group's actions included night rides, lynchings, and voter suppression, prompting federal intervention through the Enforcement Acts. Although initially suppressed by the 1870s, the Klan's legacy persisted and reemerged in the 20th century. Its founding marked the beginning of one of America’s most notorious domestic terrorist organizations.