What Happened on December 14?
All
events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON DECEMBER 14
Explore the most important historical events that happened on December 14, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
Roald Amundsen
Year:
1911
Roald Amundsen's team, comprising himself, Olav Bjaaland, Helmer Hanssen, Sverre Hassel, and Oscar Wisting, becomes the first to reach the South Pole.
Like
Japanese battleship Haruna
Year:
1913
Haruna, the fourth and last Kongō-class ship, launches, eventually becoming one of the Japanese workhorses during World War I and World War II.
Like
New South Wales
Year:
1909
New South Wales Premier Charles Wade signs the Seat of Government Surrender Act 1909, formally completing the transfer of State land to the Commonwealth to create the Australian Capital Territory.
Like
Thomas W. Lawson (ship)
Year:
1907
The Thomas W. Lawson, the largest ever ship without a heat engine, runs aground and founders near the Hellweather's Reef within the Isles of Scilly in a gale. The pilot and 15 seamen die.
Like
Wright brothers
Year:
1903
The Wright brothers make their first attempt to fly with the Wright Flyer at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
Like
Lisandro de la Torre
Year:
1914
Lisandro de la Torre and others found the Democratic Progressive Party (Partido Demócrata Progresista, PDP) at the Hotel Savoy, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Like
Giacomo Puccini
Year:
1918
Giacomo Puccini's comic opera Gianni Schicchi premieres at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.
Like
Solar eclipse of December 14, 2020
Year:
2020
A total solar eclipse is visible from parts of the South Pacific Ocean, southern South America, and the South Atlantic Ocean.
Like
BIRTHS ON DECEMBER 14
Discover famous people and historical figures born on December 14, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Lewis Arquette
Year of birth:
1935
Lewis Arquette, American actor, producer, and screenwriter (died 2001)
Like
Leonardo Boff
Year of birth:
1938
Leonardo Boff, Brazilian theologian and author
Like
Lee Remick
Year of birth:
1935
Lee Remick, American actress (died 1991)
Like
Shyam Benegal
Year of birth:
1934
Shyam Benegal, Indian director and screenwriter (died 2024)
Like
George Furth
Year of birth:
1932
George Furth, American actor and playwright (died 2008)
Like
Ernie Davis
Year of birth:
1939
Ernie Davis, American football player (died 1963)
Like
Ellen Willis
Year of birth:
1941
Ellen Willis, American journalist, critic, and academic (died 2006)
Like
Tommy McAvoy
Year of birth:
1943
Tommy McAvoy, Scottish politician (died 2024)
Like
DEATHS ON DECEMBER 14
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on December 14, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Anton Korošec
Year of death:
1940
Anton Korošec, Slovenian priest and politician, 10th Prime Minister of Yugoslavia (born 1872)
Like
Fabián de la Rosa
Year of death:
1937
Fabián de la Rosa, Filipino painter and educator (born 1869)
Like
John Harvey Kellogg
Year of death:
1943
John Harvey Kellogg, American physician and businessman, co-invented corn flakes (born 1852)
Like
Lupe Vélez
Year of death:
1944
Lupe Vélez, Mexican actress (born 1908)
Like
Edward Higgins
Year of death:
1947
Edward Higgins, English-American 3rd General of The Salvation Army (born 1864)
Like
Stanley G. Weinbaum
Year of death:
1935
Stanley G. Weinbaum, American author (born 1902)
Like
Henry Jackson (Royal Navy officer)
Year of death:
1929
Henry B. Jackson, British admiral (born 1855)
Like
Belgrave Edward Sutton Ninnis
Year of death:
1912
Belgrave Edward Sutton Ninnis, English lieutenant and explorer (born 1887)
Like
HOLIDAYS ON DECEMBER 14
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on December 14 around the world.
Venantius Fortunatus
Christian feast day: Venantius Fortunatus
Like
December 14 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast day: December 14 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Like
Forty-seven rōnin
Forty-seven Ronin Remembrance Day (Sengaku-ji, Tokyo)
Like
Martyred Intellectuals Day
Martyred Intellectuals Day (Bangladesh)
Like
Nimatullah Kassab
Christian feast day: Nimatullah Kassab (Maronite Church)
Like
Saint Spyridon
Christian feast day: Spyridon (Western Church)
Like
Matronian
Christian feast day: Matronian
Like
Nicasius of Rheims
Christian feast day: Nicasius of Rheims
Like