Major December events in Seattle-area history

Dec. 1, 1999: Police enforce a "no protest zone" around the World Trade Organization meetings and arrest hundreds of demonstrators. Dec. 1, 1999: Police enforce a "no protest zone" around the World Trade Organization meetings and arrest hundreds of demonstrators. Photo: Seattle Post-Intelligencer Photo: Seattle Post-Intelligencer Image 1 of / 42 Caption Close Major December events in Seattle history 1 / 42 Back to Gallery

From city beginnings to a recent team of champions, December often has been a momentous month in Seattle history.

Seattle was incorporated in December; so, too, was King County established, with Seattle as the county seat. The Seahawks were born in December, and so were the late, lamented SuperSonics. Downtown landmarks opened for the first time in December -- an art museum, a major theater, a world-class hotel, an urban plaza where cars aren't allowed.

There have been moments of tragedy in the month of December -- a major fire, a devastating windstorm, a terrorism scare. But December also has been a month of triumph -- the city's first African-American council member, the beginnings of major mass-transit endeavors, and an MLS Cup, the city's first.

See these major events in the slideshow above. Hat tip to the excellent website historylink.org and the Museum of History and Industry for help with dates and details.