Europa
- Saint Nicholas Day (Feast of Saint Nicholas)
December 6 is widely celebrated across Europe as Saint Nicholas Day, honoring Nicholas of Myra, a 4th-century bishop renowned for his generosity and as the protector of children. - In Germany, children leave out shoes or boots on the evening of December 5, hoping to find them filled with sweets and small gifts by morning.
- In the Netherlands and Belgium, children put out shoes with hay and carrots for Saint Nicholas’s horse, receiving gifts tagged with humorous rhymes.
- In France, especially in the North and East, Saint Nicholas parades and festivities are held, and special pastries like “Mannele” are baked.
- In Poland and Ukraine, children receive gifts under their pillows if they’ve behaved well; those who haven’t might find a twig or coal.
- In many regions, Saint Nicholas is accompanied by a figure who punishes naughty children, such as Père Fouettard in France.
- 1060: Béla I is crowned King of Hungary.
- 1240: Kyiv falls to the Mongols under Batu Khan during the Mongol invasion of Rus’.
- 1917: Finland declares independence from Russia, ending over a century as a Grand Duchy under Russian control. This is a national holiday in Finland.
- 1921: The Anglo-Irish Treaty is signed in London, leading to the creation of the Irish Free State and the partition of Ireland one year later.
America
- 1492: Columbus Lands on Hispaniola
Christopher Columbus landed on the island he named Hispaniola (present-day Haiti and the Dominican Republic), marking a significant moment in the European colonization of the Americas. - 1790: U.S. Congress Moves to Philadelphia
The United States Congress relocated from New York City to Philadelphia, which then served as the nation’s capital until 1800. - 1865: Ratification of the 13th Amendment
Georgia became the 27th state to ratify the 13th Amendment, officially abolishing slavery in the United States. This is a landmark moment in American history, celebrated as National Miners Day and often recognized for its significance in the fight for civil rights. - 1884: Completion of the Washington Monument
The Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., was completed with the placement of its aluminum capstone, finalizing one of the nation’s most iconic landmarks. - 1907: Monongah Mining Disaster
The worst mining disaster in U.S. history occurred in Monongah, West Virginia, where 362 miners lost their lives in a coal mine explosion. December 6 is now also observed as National Miners Day in the United States. - 1917: Halifax Explosion
In Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, a massive munitions explosion killed over 1,900 people and devastated the city, marking one of the largest artificial explosions prior to nuclear weapons. - 1947: Dedication of Everglades National Park
President Harry S. Truman dedicated Everglades National Park in Florida, preserving a unique subtropical ecosystem. - 1957: Failed U.S. Satellite Launch
The first U.S. attempt to launch a satellite, Vanguard TV3, failed when the rocket exploded on the launchpad at Cape Canaveral, Florida. - 1967: First U.S. Human Heart Transplant
Dr. Adrian Kantrowitz performed the first human heart transplant in the United States at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. - 1969: Altamont Free Concert Tragedy
The Altamont Free Concert in California, headlined by the Rolling Stones, became infamous after the fatal stabbing of Meredith Hunter by Hells Angels security.
Asia
- 1956: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a principal architect of the Indian Constitution and a champion of social justice, passed away. His death anniversary is observed as Mahaparinirvan Diwas, especially among Dalit communities.
- 1992: The Babri Masjid in Ayodhya was demolished by a large crowd seeking to build a Hindu temple at the site. This event triggered widespread communal riots and remains a pivotal and controversial moment in modern Indian history.
- 1946: The Home Guard organization was established in India to support internal security efforts.
- 1732: Birth of Warren Hastings, the first Governor-General of the East India Company.
- 1971: India officially recognized the independence of Bangladesh (formerly East Pakistan), a critical step in the Bangladesh Liberation War. In response, Pakistan broke off diplomatic relations with India.
- 2015: Jaafar Mohammed Saad, the governor of Yemen’s Aden Governorate, was assassinated along with six guards in a suicide bombing claimed by the Islamic State. This act was part of the ongoing Yemeni Civil War.
- 2017: Russian military intervention in the Syrian Civil War continued, with President Vladimir Putin declaring victory over ISIS along the Euphrates. Russian airstrikes reportedly killed 21 civilians in Deir al-Zor province.
- Significant International Developments Involving Asia
2017: U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, sparking protests across the Middle East and criticism from several Asian and Arab nations. - 1937: Japanese bombing of Nanking (Nanjing) during the Second Sino-Japanese War, a prelude to the Nanjing Massacre.
Africa
- 1977: South Africa Grants ‘Independence’ to Bophuthatswana
On December 6, 1977, the apartheid government of South Africa granted “independence” to Bophuthatswana, a so-called homeland or “Bantustan” created for the Tswana people. This move was part of the apartheid regime’s policy to segregate Black South Africans into separate territories, but Bophuthatswana’s independence was not recognized by any country other than South Africa itself. The territory remained dependent on South Africa and was reintegrated into the country in 1994 after the end of apartheid. - 1956: Arrest of Nelson Mandela and Other Anti-Apartheid Activists
On December 6, 1956, Nelson Mandela and 156 other activists were arrested in South Africa on charges of treason for their anti-apartheid activities. This marked the beginning of the lengthy and internationally significant Treason Trial, which lasted until 1961. The trial drew global attention to the struggle against apartheid and solidified Mandela’s role as a key leader in the movement. - 1865: Battle of Platberg
The Battle of Platberg occurred during the Orange Free State–Basotho War on December 6, 1865, between the Orange Free State and the Basotho people. This conflict was part of the broader struggle over land and sovereignty in southern Africa during the colonial era. - December 6 has also seen significant events in the broader context of African and global history, but the above are the most directly relevant to the African continent on this date.
This day in history: 6 december