Europa
- In AD 69, the Roman Senate declared Vespasian emperor of Rome, marking the end of the tumultuous “Year of the Four Emperors” and restoring stability to the empire.
- 1118: Birth of Thomas à Becket in London, who would become Archbishop of Canterbury and later a martyr.
- 1804: Birth of Benjamin Disraeli, who would become a two-time Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and a key figure in British politics.
- 1842: Pentonville Prison opened in Islington, London, becoming a model for British prisons.
- 1844: The Rochdale Pioneers opened their co-operative store, marking the start of the modern Co-operative movement in Britain.
- 1958: Charles de Gaulle was elected president of the French Fifth Republic, a pivotal moment in modern French history.
- 1988: The Lockerbie bombing occurred when Pan Am Flight 103 exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland, due to a terrorist attack, resulting in 270 deaths. This remains the deadliest air disaster on British soil.
- December 1989: The Romanian Revolution was underway, leading to the overthrow of Nicolae Ceaușescu. While the most decisive events occurred on December 22, December 21 was marked by mass protests and violent clashes in Bucharest, signaling the imminent collapse of the communist regime.
- 1965: The United Nations adopted the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, a significant human rights milestone with strong European participation.
- 1898: Marie and Pierre Curie discovered radium, a breakthrough in chemistry and medicine, with Marie Curie being a prominent European scientist.
America
- Pilgrims Land at Plymouth Rock (1620)
On December 21, 1620, the Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower landed at Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts. This event marked a foundational moment in American colonial history and the beginning of permanent European settlement in New England. - First Crossword Puzzle Published (1913)
The first modern crossword puzzle, called a “word-cross,” was published in the New York World newspaper. This innovation by Arthur Wynne became a staple of American newspapers and popular culture. - Boulder Canyon Project Act Signed (1928)
President Calvin Coolidge signed the Boulder Canyon Project Act, authorizing the construction of what would become the Hoover Dam. The dam transformed the American West by providing water, flood control, and hydroelectric power to several states. - Apollo 8 Launch (1968)
NASA launched Apollo 8 from Cape Kennedy, Florida. This mission marked the first time humans left Earth orbit, traveled to the Moon, and orbited it, paving the way for the 1969 lunar landing. - Battle of the Bulge Intensifies (1944)
During World War II, American forces were engaged in the Battle of the Bulge, the largest and bloodiest single battle fought by the United States in the conflict. On December 21, 1944, American troops rallied to stem a major German offensive in Belgium and Luxembourg.
Asia
- 1946: Nankaidō Earthquake and Tsunami, Japan
On December 21, 1946, a massive 8.1 magnitude earthquake struck the Nankaidō region of Japan, triggering a devastating tsunami. The disaster killed over 1,300 people and destroyed more than 38,000 homes, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in modern Japanese history. - 1941: Thai-Japanese Pact of Alliance
On this day in 1941, during World War II, Thailand and Japan signed a formal alliance treaty. This pact was part of Japan’s broader military strategy in Southeast Asia and had significant implications for the region during the war. - 1581: Manila Cathedral Established, Philippines
The Manila Cathedral, a major religious and historical landmark in the Philippines, was established by a decree from Pope Gregory XIII under the title of the Immaculate Conception on December 21, 1581. - 1614: Arrival of Dom Justo Ukon Takayama in the Philippines
Japanese Christian daimyō and missionary Dom Justo Ukon Takayama arrived in the Philippines after being exiled from Japan due to his Christian faith. His arrival is a significant event in the history of Christianity in Asia. - 1898: U.S. “Benevolent Assimilation” Proclamation in the Philippines
U.S. President William McKinley issued the “Benevolent Assimilation” Proclamation, outlining the American policy of governance in the Philippines. This act intensified tensions and contributed to the eventual Philippine-American War. - 1935: National Defense Act Signed, Philippines
Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon signed Commonwealth Act No. 1, also known as the National Defense Act of 1935, laying the foundation for the modern Armed Forces of the Philippines. - 1986: Shanghai Student Demonstrations, China
On December 21, 1986, approximately 500,000 Chinese students gathered in Shanghai’s People’s Square to demand democratic reforms, including freedom of the press. This was a significant moment in China’s pro-democracy movement.
Africa
- 1967: First Human Heart Transplant Patient Dies in South Africa
On December 21, 1967, Louis Washkansky, the world’s first recipient of a human-to-human heart transplant, died in Cape Town, South Africa. He had survived for 18 days after the historic operation performed by Dr. Christiaan Barnard, marking a milestone in medical science and South African history. - 1979: Lancaster House Agreement Signed—Path to Zimbabwean Independence
The Lancaster House Agreement, which paved the way for the independence of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), was signed in London on December 21, 1979. African leaders such as Robert Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo participated in the negotiations, which ended years of conflict and colonial rule, leading to the recognized independence of Zimbabwe in 1980. - 1965: Adoption of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
On this day, the United Nations adopted the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), a landmark treaty with significant implications for Africa, especially during the era of apartheid in South Africa and decolonization across the continent.
This day in history: 21 december