Today in Mormon History - Dec 23

The African country of Congo grants the Church formal recognition. (1)
-- 20 years ago today - Dec 23, 1991

John Murdock: Died 23 December 1871. (2)
-- 140 years ago today - Dec 23, 1871

[Joseph Smith] To ease tensions among Clay and Jackson County residents and provide a county for Mormon settlers, Caldwell County is created by legislation, passing the House on the 23rd and the Senate on the 27th. Daviess County is also created, although disputations about its purpose arise later. Missouri natives feel that the Mormons agreed not to settle it, although no such agreement existed or was acknowledged by the Mormons. (3)
-- 175 years ago today - December 23-27 1836

1 - The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com
2 - Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith
3 - Wikipedia, Joseph Smith Chronology, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Joseph_Smith,_Jr.