Interesting Fact: Smallpox Announced Eradicated On 12/9 1979

ESSEX, CHESTER, DEEP RIVER, CT — On December 9, 1979 smallpox was declared eradicated!

This is a significant day in history because not only was the smallpox vaccine the first-ever vaccine introduced to the world according to an article in edexlive, but it was the first time a disease had been noted as "banished from the earth", because of modern medical science.

According to edexlive the earliest written description of smallpox appeared in China in the 4th century CE. The smallpox vaccine was developed in 1798. Years later the World Health Organization began a global vaccination program, which eventually eradicated the disease.

Interesting stuff!