On Dec. 22, 1965, “Doctor Zhivago,” David Lean’s epic film adaptation of the Boris Pasternak novel starring

Omar Sharif and Julie Christie, had its world premiere in

New York.

Ten years ago

Congress completed work on a one-month extension of the Patriot Act and sent it to President George W. Bush. New York transit workers ended their three-day strike without a new contract. Astronomers announced the discovery of two more rings encircling the planet Uranus.

Five years ago

President Barack Obama signed a law allowing gays for the first time in history to serve openly in America’s military, repealing the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. The Senate ratified the New START treaty with Russia capping nuclear warheads for both nations and restarting on-site weapons inspections. Auburn’s Cam Newton was named AP Player of the Year. “The Lone Ranger” announcer Fred Foy died in Woburn, Massachusetts, at age 89.

One year ago

North Korea experienced sweeping Internet outages for hours before coming back online; the White House and the State Department refused to say whether the U.S. government was responsible. Singer Joe Cocker, 70, died in Crawford, Colorado. Actress Christine Cavanaugh, the voice of “Babe” the pig, died in Cedar City, Utah, at age 51.

— By The Associated Press