Major Events

1600 – British East India Company chartered Queen Elizabeth I grants a royal charter to the British East India Company, enabling the corporation to dominate Asian trade and eventually influence global geopolitics for centuries.

1759 – Arthur Guinness signs 9,000-year brewery lease Guinness begins brewing at St. James’s Gate in Dublin, laying the foundation for one of the world’s most recognisable beer brands.

1857 – Queen Victoria chooses Ottawa as capital of Canada Ottawa is selected for its strategic location and political neutrality, shaping the future of Canadian governance.

1879 – Edison demonstrates improved incandescent lamp At Menlo Park, Thomas Edison unveils his longer-lasting filament bulb, helping usher in widespread electrification.

1907 – First New Year’s Eve “ball drop” in Times Square A new tradition begins in New York City, becoming a globally recognised celebration symbol.

1944 – Hungary declares war on Nazi Germany In the final stages of World War II, Hungary switches allegiance as Soviet forces advance.

1946 – President Truman proclaims official end of WWII hostilities While combat ended earlier, Truman formally declares hostilities terminated, setting the stage for postwar policy.

1963 – Central African Federation dissolves The federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland officially ends, leading to the emergence of three separate nations: Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi.

1991 – Soviet flag lowered for final time at the Kremlin The last symbolic act of the Soviet Union’s collapse occurs as the Russian tricolour replaces the hammer and sickle.

1999 – Boris Yeltsin resigns as Russian President Yeltsin unexpectedly steps down, naming Vladimir Putin acting president and reshaping Russia’s political future.

Famous Birthdays

1491 – Jacques Cartier, French explorer (d. 1557) Navigator who explored the St. Lawrence River and laid claim to Canada for France.

1738 – Charles Cornwallis, British general (d. 1805) Known for his role in the American Revolutionary War.

1869 – Henri Matisse, French painter (d. 1954) Leading figure in modern art and co-founder of Fauvism.

1878 – Elizabeth Arden, Canadian-American entrepreneur (d. 1966) Pioneer of modern cosmetics and founder of a global beauty empire.

1880 – George Marshall, U.S. general and statesman (d. 1959) Architect of the Marshall Plan and Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

1937 – Anthony Hopkins, Welsh actor Academy Award–winning performer recognised for wide-ranging dramatic roles.

1941 – Sarah Miles, British actress Known for acclaimed performances in film and theatre.

1943 – Ben Kingsley, British actor Renowned for diverse and powerful acting, including his Oscar-winning role in Gandhi.

1959 – Val Kilmer, American actor Known for iconic roles across drama, action, and biographical films.

Notable Deaths

335 – Pope Sylvester I (b. unknown) Early pope influential in establishing important Christian traditions.

1877 – Gustave Courbet, French painter (b. 1819) Leader of the Realist movement and innovator in modern art.

1882 – Henry Kendall, Australian poet (b. 1839) One of Australia’s earliest celebrated literary voices.

1936 – Miguel de Unamuno, Spanish writer (b. 1864) Influential philosopher and novelist associated with Spain’s Generation of ’98.

1985 – Ricky Nelson, American musician (b. 1940) Teen idol turned country-rock performer.

1994 – Woody Strode, American actor and athlete (b. 1914) Pioneering African-American actor known for powerful screen roles.

2015 – Natalie Cole, American singer (b. 1950) Grammy-winning vocalist with a long and successful music career.

2018 – Kader Khan, Indian actor and writer (b. 1937) Prolific performer and screenwriter in Hindi cinema.

Holidays

• New Year’s Eve (worldwide)
• Watch Night (Christian tradition)
• Seven Fishes Feast (Italian heritage communities)
• National Champagne Day (United States)
• Omisoka (Japan, year-end celebrations)

Fun Facts

• The first Times Square ball in 1907 was made of iron and wood and weighed over 300 kilograms.
• Guinness’s 9,000-year lease cost only £45 per year.
• December 31 is one of the most widely celebrated dates on Earth, with time-zone waves of festivities circling the globe.
• The lowering of the Soviet flag in 1991 marked the definitive end of the Cold War era.