December 31 has witnessed a tapestry of major historical events throughout the centuries. From significant political milestones to cultural and technological breakthroughs, this date marks a momentous juncture in history. On this day, rulers conquered new territories, inventors unveiled groundbreaking creations, and nations celebrated their first elections. It’s a day when the world saw the birth of legends, the closing of iconic venues, and the initiation of political careers. Join us as we journey through time to explore the rich tapestry of events that have shaped our world on December 31st.
Major Historical Events on December 31 – Today in History
1229: James I Conquers Majorca
James I of Aragon achieved a significant victory on this day by entering Medina Mayurqa (Palma), concluding the Christian conquest of the island of Majorca in 1229.
1564: William I’s Religious Freedom Speech
In 1564, William I of Orange delivered a remarkable speech to the Council of State, demanding religious freedom for his subjects, a pivotal moment in the history of religious tolerance.
1660: James II Named Duke of Normandy
Louis XIV of France bestowed the title of Duke of Normandy upon James II of England in 1660, cementing the diplomatic ties between the two monarchs.
1680: Amsterdam Opera Opens
Amsterdam Opera at Leidsegracht made its debut in 1680, marking the beginning of a vibrant cultural scene in the city.
1687: Huguenots Depart for Cape
In 1687, the first group of Huguenots left France for the Cape of Good Hope, seeking religious freedom in South Africa, where their influence still resonates today.
1711: Duke of Marlborough Fired
John Churchill, the renowned 1st Duke of Marlborough, faced dismissal as the English army commander in 1711, marking a change in military leadership.
1781: Bank of North America Opens
The Bank of North America, established by Robert Morris, became the first official bank in the United States when it opened its doors in 1781.
1841: Alabama Licenses Dental Surgeons
Alabama took a pioneering step in healthcare by becoming the first state to license dental surgeons in 1841, setting a precedent for dental regulation.
1879: Edison’s Incandescent Lamp Demo
Thomas Edison conducted the first public demonstration of his incandescent lamp in 1879, illuminating the path to modern electric lighting.
1901: Cuba’s First Election
Cuba marked a significant moment in its history by holding its first election in 1901, electing a Congress and their inaugural president, Tomas Estrada Palma.
1904: First Times Square New Year
The tradition of celebrating New Year’s Eve in New York’s Times Square began in 1904 when the first official New Year’s Eve celebration took place, becoming an iconic global event.
1907: Times Square Ball Drop
In 1907, the first-ever ball drop ceremony took place in New York’s Times Square, marking the beginning of a cherished tradition to ring in the New Year.
1923: First Transatlantic Radio Broadcast
Pittsburgh-Manchester saw the first transatlantic radio broadcast of a voice in 1923, showcasing the potential of radio communication on a global scale.
1935: Charles Darrow Patents Monopoly
Charles Darrow patented the popular board game Monopoly in 1935, a game that would go on to become a global sensation and make him the first millionaire game designer.
1945: Don Bradman’s Post-WWII Century
Cricket legend Don Bradman scored his first post-World War II century, amassing 112 runs for South Australia against the Australian Services in 1945.
1951: First Radioactive Battery
In 1951, the first battery capable of converting radioactive energy into electricity was announced, opening new possibilities in energy generation.
1955: GM’s $1 Billion Year
General Motors became the first U.S. corporation to surpass $1 billion USD in annual earnings in 1955, marking a significant milestone in the American automotive industry.
1958: Bill Shoemaker’s Riding Championship
Jockey Bill Shoemaker achieved a historic feat by winning the national riding championship for the fourth time in 1958, solidifying his status as one of the greatest jockeys in horse racing.
1963: Garcia & Weir’s First Music Jam
Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir of The Grateful Dead played music together for the first time at Dana Morgan’s Music Store in Palo Alto, California, laying the foundation for a legendary band.
1967: First NBA Game at Great Western Forum
The Great Western Forum in Los Angeles hosted its first NBA game in 1967, with the LA Lakers defeating the Houston Rockets 147-118, marking the beginning of a storied basketball venue.
1968: First Supersonic Airliner Flight
In 1968, the world witnessed the first flight of a supersonic airliner when the Russian TU-144 took to the skies, marking a significant achievement in aviation technology.
1971: Compton Replaced as Ombudsman
Edmund Compton, the Northern Ireland Ombudsman, was replaced in 1971, marking a change in the oversight of government actions in the midst of the Troubles.
1972: Martin McGuinness Arrested
In 1972, Martin McGuinness, a prominent figure in the Irish Republican Army (IRA), was arrested, reflecting the ongoing conflict in Northern Ireland.
1976: The Cars’ First Gig
The iconic rock band The Cars played their inaugural gig in 1976, setting the stage for a successful and influential music career.
1977: Donald Woods Flees South Africa
Donald Woods, a banned anti-Apartheid white editor, fled South Africa in 1977, escaping the oppressive regime and continuing his activism from abroad.
1978: Winterland Ballroom Closes
The Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco closed in 1978 after hosting 556 concerts, including a legendary Grateful Dead show, marking the end of an era in music venues.
1980: Springsteen’s “The River Tour”
Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band embarked on “The River Tour” in 1980, with their concerts often lasting nearly four hours, becoming a hallmark of live rock performances.
1981: Lt. Rawlings Heads Ghana
In 1981, Lt. Jerry Rawlings assumed leadership in Ghana, suspending the constitution and initiating a period of military rule.
1983: Benjamin Ward, NY Police Commissioner
Benjamin Ward was appointed as the first African American New York City Police Commissioner in 1983 by Mayor Ed Koch, marking a milestone in law enforcement leadership.
1989: Jockey Kent Desormeaux’s Record
Jockey Kent Desormeaux set a remarkable record in 1989 by achieving 598 wins in a year, showcasing his exceptional talent in horse racing.
1991: CPN’s Last Day
The Communist Party of the Netherlands (CPN) dissolved on its last day in 1991, marking the end of its existence in Dutch politics.
1993: Barbra Streisand’s Comeback Concert
Barbra Streisand made a triumphant return to the stage in 1993, performing her first public concert in 20 years before a sell-out crowd of over 25,000 in Las Vegas.
1994: Snowless December in Baltimore
Baltimore, Maryland, experienced an unusual event in 1994 as it saw its first snowless December, defying the typical winter weather in the region.
1995: “Paul Robeson” Play Closes
The play “Paul Robeson” closed at the Longacre Theater in New York City after 14 performances in 1995, depicting the life of the legendary singer and activist.
1997: Separation of Siamese Twins
In 1997, South African and U.S. surgeons successfully separated Siamese twins who were joined at the head, marking a remarkable medical achievement.
1998: Record US Movie Box Office
The U.S. movie industry achieved a historic milestone in 1998, with a record-breaking box office revenue of $6.24 billion for the year.
2004: Taipei 101 Skyscraper Opening
Taipei 101, then the world’s tallest skyscraper at 509 meters (1,670 feet), officially opened its doors in 2004, becoming an iconic landmark in Taiwan.
2006: Final Lansdowne Road Stadium Match
Lansdowne Road Stadium in Dublin witnessed its last rugby match in 2006, with Leinster defeating Ulster 20-12 in a Celtic League game, marking the end of an era.
2014: Beji Caid Essebsi’s Inauguration
Beji Caid Essebsi was sworn in as Tunisia’s first freely elected President in 2014, a significant moment in the country’s transition to democracy.
2015: US Law Enforcement Fatalities
In 2015, 1,134 individuals were killed by U.S. law enforcement, with young black men being nine times more likely to be victims, highlighting concerns over police use of force.
2017: Rajinikanth’s Political Announcement
Indian movie star Rajinikanth made a significant announcement in 2017 by declaring his entry into politics, a move with far-reaching implications in the world of Indian politics.
2017: Lorde’s Israel Show Controversy
Singer Lorde stirred controversy in 2017 when she canceled a show in Israel, leading to accusations of bigotry and reigniting debates about cultural boycotts.
2020: WHO Grants Pfizer/BioNTech Vaccine Authorization
The World Health Organization (WHO) granted emergency authorization for the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in 2020, paving the way for global distribution and vaccination efforts.
Also Read: Major Historical Events on December 28 – Today in History
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