Russia grinds on in eastern Ukraine; World Cup updates; and more of today’s top news

In 1950, Ralph J. Bunche was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, becoming the first Black American to receive the award.

In 1964, Martin Luther King Jr. received his Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, saying he accepted it “with an abiding faith in America and an audacious faith in the future of mankind.”

In 1994, Yasser Arafat, Shimon Peres and Yitzhak Rabin received the Nobel Peace Prize, pledging to pursue their mission of healing the anguished Middle East.

In 1996, South African President Nelson Mandela signed the country’s new constitution into law during a ceremony in Sharpeville.

In 2007, former Vice President Al Gore accepted the Nobel Peace Prize with a call for humanity to rise up against a looming climate crisis and stop waging war on the environment.

Ten years ago: Robert Griffin III beat out preseason favorite Andrew Luck to win the Heisman Trophy.

Ten years ago: Tens of thousands of Russians staged anti-government protests, charging electoral fraud and demanding an end to Vladimir Putin’s rule.

A judge announced that former International Monetary Fund leader Dominique Strauss-Kahn and a New York City hotel maid had signed a settlement of her sexual-assault lawsuit stemming from a May 2011 encounter. 

In 2013, General Motors named product chief Mary Barra its new CEO, making her the first woman to run a U.S. car company.

In 2013, South Africa held a memorial service for Nelson Mandela, during which U.S. President Barack Obama energized tens of thousands of spectators and nearly 100 visiting heads of state with a plea for the world to emulate “the last great liberator of the 20th century.” (The ceremony was marred by the presence of a sign-language interpreter who deaf advocates said was an impostor waving his arms around meaninglessly.)

Five years ago: Donald Trump’s presidential transition team challenged the veracity of U.S. intelligence assessments that Russia had tried to tip the November election in his favor. 

Five years ago: Louisiana voters chose to send Republican state Treasurer John Kennedy to the nation’s capital, filling the nation’s last U.S. Senate seat and giving the GOP a 52-48 edge in the chamber when the new term began. 

Five years ago: Sophomore quarterback Lamar Jackson became the first Louisville player to win the Heisman Trophy.

Five years ago: Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz suffered a torn ACL during the team’s win over the Rams; backup Nick Foles rallied the Eagles to a victory that secured the NFC East title. (Foles and the Eagles would go on to win the Super Bowl.)

Wearing a face mask, actor Rob Lowe live-streamed the evacuation of his family from one of the homes threatened by a massive Southern California wildfire. 

In 2019, House Democrats announced two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump, declaring that he “betrayed the nation” with his actions toward Ukraine and an obstruction of Congress’ investigation; Trump responded with a tweet of “WITCH HUNT!” At an evening rally in Pennsylvania, Trump mocked the impeachment effort and predicted it would lead to his reelection in 2020.

 Reigning world chess champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway successfully defended his title in Dubai. 

Michael Nesmith, the wool-hatted, guitar-strumming member of the 1960s, made-for-television rock band The Monkees, died at 78.

1939 — The Green Bay Packers register the first shutout in an NFL championship game by beating the New York Giants 27-0.

Quarterback Cecil Isbell of the Green Bay Packers is stopped by New York Giants' Frank Cope after a two- yard gain in NFL title game at the State Fair Grounds in Milwaukee, Wisc., Dec. 11, 1939. The Packers won, 27-0, before a crowd of 32, 000 for the National Football League championship. (AP Photo)

1961 — Billy Cannon of the Houston Oilers rushes for 216 yards and catches five passes for 114 yards and scores five touchdowns in a 48-21 victory over the New York Titans. Cannon finishes with 373 combined yards.

Houston Oilers' Billy Cannon, Aug. 30, 1961. (AP Photo)

1989 — Seattle’s Steve Largent makes his NFL record 100th touchdown catch in the second quarter of the Seahawks’ 24-17 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Seattle Seahawks receiver Steve Largent catches his 100th career touchdown pass in the first half of their game with the Cincinnati Bengals at Riverfront Stadium, Dec. 10, 1989. The touchdown broke the 44-year-old record held by Don Hutson. (AP Photo/Rob Burns)

1994 — Art Monk sets an NFL record for consecutive games with a reception on New York’s first play in the Jets’ 18-7 loss to the Detroit Lions. Monk’s 5-yard catch gives him 178 consecutive games with a reception, breaking Steve Largent’s NFL mark.

Former Seattle Seahawk Steve Largent, right, congratulates New York Jets wide receiver Art Monk, left, after Monk broke Largent’s record for consecutive games with a catch at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Dec. 10, 1994. (AP Photo/Kevin Larkin)

2006 — Marvin Harrison of Indianapolis is the fourth player in NFL history with 1,000 receptions, joining Jerry Rice, Tim Brown and Cris Carter. Harrison catches a 13-yard pass from Peyton Manning early in the fourth quarter to join the elite group.

Indianapolis Colts receiver Marvin Harrison, left, runs for first-quarter yardage following a pass reception as Jacksonville Jaguars defender Gerald Sensabaugh gives chase during a National Football League game, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2006, in Jacksonville, Fla.(AP Photo/Phil Coale)

2008 — Carmelo Anthony matches George Gervin’s NBA record for points in a quarter with 33 in the third and finishes with a season-high 45 points in Denver’s 116-105 victory over Minnesota.

Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony pulls down a rebound against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Denver on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

2010 — George Karl earns his 1,000th coaching victory, the seventh coach in NBA history, as Al Harrington scores a season-high 31 points and Nene adds 26 to help the Denver Nuggets hold off the Toronto Raptors 123-116.

Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett, right, embraces Denver Nuggets coach George Karl after an NBA basketball game in Boston, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2010. The Celtics beat the Nuggets 105-89, holding Karl's win record at 999 games. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

2011 — Robert Griffin III beats out preseason favorite Andrew Luck for the Heisman Trophy, dazzling voters with his ability to throw, run and lead Big 12 doormat Baylor into the national rankings. Luck became the fourth player to be Heisman runner-up in consecutive seasons.

Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III, of Baylor, is photographed with the award during a news conference, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011, in New York. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

2016 — Army ends a 14-year run of frustration against Navy, using an overpowering running game and opportunistic defense to carve out a long overdue 21-17 victory. The Black Knights’ 14-game losing streak was the longest by either academy in a series that began in 1890.

Army players and coaches run onto the field after winning defeating Navy 21-17 in an NCAA college football game in Baltimore, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

2016 — Roman Torres scores in the sixth round of penalty kicks to give the Seattle Sounders their first MLS Cup title, 5-4 over Toronto FC after 120 scoreless minutes. It’s the first MLS Cup final to fail to produce a goal in regulation, setting the stage for a dramatic tiebreaker.

Seattle Sounders defender Roman Torres, left, dances on stage for teammates next to the MLS Cup trophy during a fan rally, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016, in Seattle. The Sounders defeated Toronto FC on Dec. 10, 2016 to win the MLS soccer championship. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

2017 — Ben Roethlisberger completes 44 of a franchise-record 66 passes for 506 yards and two touchdowns, becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to top 500 yards passing three times and leading Pittsburgh past Baltimore 39-38. Antonio Brown catches 11 passes for 213 yards for Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) plays in an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)