From electoral battles to environmental accords to cultural touchstones, December 12th marks pivotal moments in how societies make collective decisions. The Supreme Court's intervention in the 2000 election and the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement demonstrate how institutions grapple with democracy's biggest challenges, while Frank Sinatra's birth reminds us how popular culture can unite people across political divides.

This "Today in History" episode covers King Edward VIII's abdication for love, impacting British succession. It also celebrates birthdays of John Kerry, Alexander Solzhenitsyn, and chess champion Viswanathan Anand. Plus, it includes quick historical moments: Nazi Germany's war declaration, Apollo 17's moon visit, movie "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner", UNICEF's founding, and Ravi Shankar's passing.