Europa
- 1065: Westminster Abbey Opens
The original Westminster Abbey in London was consecrated and opened by Edward the Confessor. It became a central site for English coronations and national ceremonies. - 1694: Death of Mary II of England
Mary II, who became queen of England in 1689, died of smallpox in London at age 32. - 1734: Death of Rob Roy MacGregor
The famous Scottish outlaw, often called the “Scottish Robin Hood,” died on this day. - 1895: First Public Film Screening by the Lumière Brothers
The Lumière brothers held the first public demonstration of the Cinématographe, an early motion-picture device, at the Grand Café in Paris—marking a key moment in European and world cinema history. - 1923: Death of Gustave Eiffel
The French engineer who designed the Eiffel Tower died at age 91.
America
- 1832: First Vice Presidential Resignation
John C. Calhoun became the first U.S. vice president to resign from office. He left to take a seat in the U.S. Senate representing South Carolina. - 1845: Texas Annexed by the United States
The U.S. Congress approved the annexation of the Republic of Texas, a move that would soon lead to the Mexican-American War. - 1856: Birth of Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson, the 28th president of the United States and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, was born in Staunton, Virginia. - 1902: First Indoor Professional Football Game
The Syracuse Athletic Club defeated the New York Philadelphians 5–0 at Madison Square Garden in the first indoor professional football game. - 1912: San Francisco Launches Municipal Streetcars
San Francisco’s first municipally owned streetcars began operation, marking a milestone in U.S. public transportation. - 1945: Pledge of Allegiance Recognized
The U.S. Congress officially recognized the Pledge of Allegiance. - 1958: “Greatest Game Ever Played” in NFL
The Baltimore Colts defeated the New York Giants in the first-ever NFL sudden death overtime game to win the NFL Championship, a landmark in American sports history. - 1967: First Woman Buys NYSE Seat
Muriel Siebert became the first woman to own a seat on the New York Stock Exchange. - 1973: Endangered Species Act Signed
President Richard Nixon signed the Endangered Species Act, a major environmental protection law. - 2014: End of U.S. War in Afghanistan
The formal end of the U.S.-led combat mission in Afghanistan was marked by a flag-lowering ceremony in Kabul.
Asia
- 2007: Nepal Abolishes Monarchy
The Nepalese parliament passed an amendment to the constitution declaring Nepal a federal republic, formally ending more than two centuries of monarchy. The transition to a republic was completed in May 2008. - 1972: Office of Presidency Established in North Korea
North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) established the office of the presidency, with Kim Il-sung becoming the first and only president under the new constitution. The post was later abolished in 1998, and Kim Il-sung was named “Eternal President”.
Africa
- 2000: Titanic Express Massacre, Burundi
On December 28, 2000, the Titanic Express Massacre occurred in Burundi. This tragic event involved the ambush of a bus (the Titanic Express) near Bujumbura, resulting in the deaths of at least 21 people, most of whom were ethnic Tutsis. The massacre was part of the broader Burundian Civil War and highlighted the ongoing ethnic violence in the region. - 2010: West African Leaders Intervene in Côte d’Ivoire Crisis
On December 28, 2010, the presidents of Benin, Cape Verde, and Sierra Leone arrived in Côte d’Ivoire to urge incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo to step down following a disputed election. Their diplomatic mission was part of regional efforts to resolve the political crisis that threatened stability in West Africa.
This day in history: 28 december