The Gloster F.9/40, the prototype of the Meteor jet fighter, makes its first flight at Glouscestershire, England. The Meteor is the Royal Air Force’s first operational jet and is the only Allied jet fighter to see combat in World War II.
The U.S. began extensive air and artillery strikes against Islamic State group targets in Syria on Dec. 19 in retaliation for the killing of three Americans on Dec. 13 by a gunman affiliated with ISIS, U.S. officials said.

