On This Day in History – December 4

Major Events

• 771 – Charlemagne becomes sole King of the Franks After the death of his brother Carloman I, Charlemagne becomes the sole ruler of the Frankish kingdom. This consolidation of power strengthens the foundation of what will become the Carolingian Empire.
• 1154 – Nicholas Breakspear becomes Pope Adrian IV The only Englishman ever to become pope is elected as Adrian IV. His papacy later includes conflicts with the Roman Senate and the controversial “Laudabiliter” decree relating to Ireland.
• 1674 – Father Jacques Marquette founds a mission in what becomes Chicago Marquette establishes a mission near Lake Michigan, laying early groundwork for the future city of Chicago. His explorations are important to French colonial expansion in North America.
• 1791 – The first edition of The Observer is published The Observer becomes the world’s oldest Sunday newspaper still in circulation. Its early work includes political reporting and foreign affairs coverage during turbulent European times.
• 1943 – The Great Depression officially ends in the U.S. With unemployment dropping below 10% and wartime production booming, economists record this date as the end of the Great Depression. The resurgence is directly tied to industrial mobilization for WWII.
• 1971 – The UN recognizes Bangladesh As the Bangladesh Liberation War nears its end, India formally recognizes Bangladesh as an independent state. Many nations soon follow, paving the way for UN membership.
• 1978 – Dianne Feinstein becomes Mayor of San Francisco After the assassinations of George Moscone and Harvey Milk, Feinstein is sworn in as mayor, becoming the city’s first woman to hold the office. She later becomes a long-serving U.S. senator.
• 1991 – Pan Am formally closes operations Once an iconic symbol of American international aviation, Pan American World Airways ceases operations due to financial collapse. Its end marks the fall of one of the world’s most influential airlines.
• 2006 – The Maldives bans smoking in public places This becomes one of the strictest anti-smoking laws in South Asia at the time, covering cafes, restaurants, and public spaces.

Famous Birthdays

• Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) – Scottish historian and writer known for The French Revolution.
• Samuel Butler (1835–1902) – English novelist and critic, author of Erewhon.
• Francisco Franco (1892–1975) – Spanish military leader and dictator who ruled Spain from 1939 to 1975.
• Rainer Maria Rilke (1875–1926) – Austrian poet, author of Duino Elegies.
• Jeff Bridges (1949) – American actor known for The Big Lebowski and Crazy Heart.
• Marisa Tomei (1964) – American actress noted for My Cousin Vinny and The Wrestler.
• Tyra Banks (1973) – American model, TV host, and entrepreneur.
• Jay-Z (1969) – American rapper, producer, and businessman influential in global music culture.
• Jin (Kim Seok-jin, 1992) – South Korean singer-songwriter, member of BTS.

Notable Deaths

• Omar Khayyam (1048–1131) – Persian poet, mathematician, and astronomer known for The Rubáiyát.
• Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679) – English philosopher known for Leviathan and modern social contract theory.
• Cardinal Richelieu (1585–1642) – French statesman and principal minister to King Louis XIII.
• John Gay (1685–1732) – English poet and playwright, author of The Beggar’s Opera.
• Edith Cavell (1865–1915) – British nurse executed during WWI for assisting Allied soldiers.
• Frank Zappa (1940–1993) – American musician, composer, and counterculture icon.
• Jessica Mitford (1917–1996) – English writer and activist known for The American Way of Death.
• Robert Vesco (1935–2007) – American financier involved in one of the largest financial scandals of the 1970s.
• Scott Weiland (1967–2015) – American singer-songwriter, frontman of Stone Temple Pilots.

Holidays

• Tanzania Independence Day – Marks the country’s independence from Britain in 1961.
• Navy Day (India) – Honors the achievements and role of the Indian Navy.
• Saint Barbara’s Day – Observed by Eastern Orthodox and some Catholic communities; also the patron saint of miners and artillerymen.

Fun Facts

• The first Sunday newspaper still in print, The Observer, debuted on this day in 1791.
• Rainer Maria Rilke, born today, wrote some of his most iconic works while living in solitude at Duino Castle.
• Frank Zappa, who died on this day, released over 60 albums during his lifetime, spanning rock, jazz fusion, and orchestral music.