On This Day in History
Discover the most significant historical events that occurred on this day throughout history
December
1 December
1955
Montgomery Bus Boycott Begins
The Montgomery Bus Boycott began under the leadership of Rosa Parks and civil rights activists.
سياسة
1955
Rosa Parks Protest
Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat, sparking the civil rights movement.
Social
2 December
1971
Founding of the United Arab Emirates
Six emirates united to form the UAE under Sheikh Zayed.
Politics
3 December
1992
First SMS Sent
The first text message in history was sent from a computer to a mobile phone.
Technology
4 December
1952
Great Smog of London
Severe air pollution caused thousands of deaths and environmental reforms.
Disaster
5 December
2013
Death of Nelson Mandela
The global anti-apartheid leader passed away at age 95.
Politics
6 December
1917
Independence of Finland
Finland declared independence from the Russian Empire.
Politics
7 December
1941
Attack on Pearl Harbor
Japanese forces attacked the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor.
سياسة
1941
Attack on Pearl Harbor
Japan launched a surprise air attack on the U.S. naval base.
History
8 December
1980
Assassination of John Lennon
The Beatles member was shot outside his New York residence.
Art
9 December
1987
First Palestinian Intifada
The “Stone Intifada” began against Israeli occupation.
History
10 December
1948
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
سياسة
1901
First Nobel Prize Ceremony
The first Nobel Prizes were awarded five years after Alfred Nobel’s death.
Science
11 December
1911
Birth of Naguib Mahfouz
The Egyptian Nobel laureate and author of the Cairo Trilogy was born.
Literature
12 December
1901
First Transatlantic Wireless Signal
Marconi successfully received a wireless signal across the Atlantic.
Technology
13 December
2003
Capture of Saddam Hussein
U.S. forces captured the former Iraqi president.
Politics
14 December
1911
Arrival at the South Pole
Roald Amundsen and his team reached the South Pole first.
Discovery
15 December
1966
Death of Walt Disney
The animation pioneer and founder of Disney passed away.
Art
16 December
1773
Boston Tea Party
American colonists protested British taxation by dumping tea into the harbor.
History
17 December
2010
Outbreak of the Tunisian Revolution
The Tunisian Revolution began following the self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi.
سياسة
1903
First Successful Powered Flight
The Wright brothers achieved the first powered airplane flight.
Technology
18 December
2011
Israel Releases 550 Palestinian Prisoners
Israel released 550 Palestinian prisoners as part of a prisoner exchange deal.
سياسة
2006
Death of Joseph Barbera
Joseph Barbera, co-creator of Tom and Jerry, passed away.
فنون
1973
UN Recognizes December 18 as International Arabic Language Day
The United Nations designated December 18 as World Arabic Language Day.
ثقافة
1973
Arabic Adopted as UN Official Language
The UN General Assembly adopted Arabic as an official language.
Cultural
19 December
1915
Birth of Édith Piaf
The legendary French singer was born in Paris.
Art
20 December
1999
Return of Macau to China
Portugal handed Macau back to Chinese sovereignty.
Politics
21 December
1988
Lockerbie Bombing
Pan Am Flight exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland.
Disaster
22 December
1989
Fall of Communist Romania
Dictator Ceaușescu fled after violent protests in Bucharest.
Politics
23 December
1876
First Ottoman Constitution
The Ottoman Empire issued its first constitution.
Politics
24 December
1951
Independence of Libya
The United Kingdom of Libya was declared independent.
Politics
25 December
1991
Resignation of Mikhail Gorbachev
Mikhail Gorbachev resigned as President of the Soviet Union.
سياسة
1991
Resignation of Gorbachev
The Soviet president resigned, marking the collapse of the USSR.
Politics
26 December
2004
Indian Ocean Tsunami Disaster
A powerful undersea earthquake triggered a devastating tsunami in the Indian Ocean.
كوارث
2004
Indian Ocean Tsunami
A massive earthquake triggered a devastating tsunami.
Disaster
27 December
2007
Assassination of Benazir Bhutto
The former Pakistani Prime Minister was killed in an attack.
Politics
28 December
1895
First Public Film Screening
The Lumière brothers presented the first commercial film screening.
Art
29 December
1170
Assassination of Thomas Becket
The Archbishop of Canterbury was murdered in the cathedral.
History
30 December
2006
Execution of Saddam Hussein
The former Iraqi president was executed after conviction.
Politics
31 December
1999
Transfer of the Panama Canal
The United States transferred full control of the canal to Panama.
Politics