On This Day in History – December 6

Major Events

• 1240 – The Mongols sack Kiev Batu Khan’s forces capture and devastate the city of Kiev, then one of Eastern Europe’s major cultural and political centers. The Mongol invasion reshapes the region’s power structure for centuries.
• 1492 – Christopher Columbus lands on Hispaniola On his first voyage, Columbus reaches the island now shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The landing marks the beginning of Spain’s influence in the Caribbean.
• 1768 – The first edition of Encyclopædia Britannica is published Printed in Edinburgh in three volumes, the Britannica becomes one of the most influential reference works in the English-speaking world. It continues in print until 2012.
• 1865 – The 13th Amendment is ratified in the United States Georgia becomes the 27th state to ratify the amendment, officially abolishing slavery across the nation. This marks a turning point in American constitutional and civil rights history.
• 1877 – Thomas Edison records ‘Mary Had a Little Lamb’ Edison makes the first-ever human voice recording on a working phonograph in Menlo Park, New Jersey. The invention revolutionizes sound technology.
• 1917 – The Halifax Explosion A French munitions ship, SS Mont-Blanc, collides with the Norwegian vessel SS Imo in Halifax Harbour, causing a massive explosion that kills around 2,000 people. It remains one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in history.
• 1921 – The Anglo-Irish Treaty is signed This agreement ends the Irish War of Independence, creating the Irish Free State as a dominion within the British Empire. The treaty later leads to civil war in Ireland due to deep political divisions.
• 1956 – Nelson Mandela and 155 activists arrested South African police arrest Mandela and many others, charging them with treason. The “Treason Trial” lasts four years and becomes a defining moment in the anti-apartheid struggle.
• 1973 – Gerald Ford becomes Vice President of the United States Ford is sworn in, replacing Spiro Agnew after his resignation. He later becomes president following Richard Nixon’s departure during the Watergate scandal.
• 1992 – The Babri Masjid is demolished in India Hindu nationalists tear down the 16th-century mosque in Ayodhya, triggering widespread riots across India. The event shapes decades of political and religious tension.

Famous Birthdays

• Henryk Sienkiewicz (1846–1916) – Polish author and Nobel Prize winner, known for Quo Vadis.
• Joyce Kilmer (1886–1918) – American poet known for “Trees.”
• Ira Gershwin (1896–1983) – American lyricist who collaborated with his brother George Gershwin.
• Émile Waldteufel (1837–1915) – French composer famous for romantic waltzes.
• Dave Brubeck (1920–2012) – American jazz pianist and composer, known for Take Five.
• Agnes Moorehead (1900–1974) – American actress known for Bewitched and Citizen Kane.
• Steven Wright (1955) – American stand-up comedian known for deadpan delivery.
• Giannis Antetokounmpo (1994) – Greek-Nigerian NBA superstar and two-time MVP.
• Noam Chomsky (1928) – American linguist, philosopher, and political activist, one of the most influential intellectuals of the 20th century.

Notable Deaths

• Saint Nicholas of Myra (270–343) – Christian bishop whose legendary generosity inspired the modern figure of Santa Claus.
• Werner Heisenberg’s mentor Arnold Sommerfeld (1868–1951) – German theoretical physicist who trained four Nobel laureates.
• Roy Orbison (1936–1988) – American rock singer known for “Oh, Pretty Woman.”
• Don Ameche (1908–1993) – American actor who won an Academy Award for Cocoon.
• Pete Rozelle (1926–1996) – American sports executive and long-time NFL Commissioner.
• Walter E. Williams (1936–2020) – American economist and columnist known for classical liberal thought.
• Johnny Prill (1940–2022) – American songwriter best known for “A Song for Mama.”
• King Talal of Jordan (1909–1972) – Jordanian monarch who briefly reigned before abdication.

Holidays

• Independence Day (Finland) – Celebrating Finland’s independence from Russia in 1917.
• Constitution Day (Spain) – Marks the ratification of the Spanish Constitution of 1978.
• Saint Nicholas Day Eve – Widely observed in parts of Europe; children leave shoes out for small gifts.

Fun Facts

• Thomas Edison’s recording made him one of the first people in history to hear his own recorded voice.
• The Halifax Explosion was so powerful that it created a tsunami and shattered windows 80 kilometers away.
• December 6 is often considered the real-world origin of the Santa Claus tradition due to Saint Nicholas’s feast day.