What Happened on December 31?
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events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON DECEMBER 31
Explore the most important historical events that happened on December 31, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
Queen Victoria
Year:
1857
Queen Victoria chooses Ottawa, then a small logging town, as the capital of the Province of Canada.
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Abraham Lincoln
Year:
1862
American Civil War: Abraham Lincoln signs an enabling act that would admit West Virginia to the Union, thus dividing Virginia in two.
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Iguanodon
Year:
1853
A dinner party is held inside a life-size model of an iguanodon created by Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins and Sir Richard Owen in south London, England.
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Philippines
Year:
1844
The Philippines skipped this date in order to align the country with the rest of Asia, as the trading interest switched to China, Dutch East Indies and neighboring territories after Mexico gained independence from Spain on 27 September 1821. In the islands, Monday, 30 December 1844 was immediately followed by Wednesday, 1 January 1845.
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Baltimore
Year:
1796
The incorporation of Baltimore as a city.
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Gramercy Park
Year:
1831
Gramercy Park is deeded to New York City.
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American Civil War
Year:
1862
American Civil War: The three-day Battle of Stones River begins near Murfreesboro, Tennessee between the Confederate Army of Tennessee under General Braxton Bragg and the Union Army of the Cumberland under General William S. Rosecrans.
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Carl Benz
Year:
1878
Karl Benz, working in Mannheim, Germany, files for a patent on his first reliable two-stroke gas engine. He was granted the patent in 1879.
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BIRTHS ON DECEMBER 31
Discover famous people and historical figures born on December 31, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Siné
Year of birth:
1928
Siné, French cartoonist (died 2016)
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Tatyana Shmyga
Year of birth:
1928
Tatyana Shmyga, Russian actress and singer (died 2011)
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Billy Snedden
Year of birth:
1926
Billy Snedden, Australian lawyer and politician, 17th Attorney-General for Australia (died 1987)
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Shrilal Shukla
Year of birth:
1925
Sri Lal Sukla, Indian author (died 2011)
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Daphne Oram
Year of birth:
1925
Daphne Oram, British composer and electronic musician (died 2003)
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Veijo Meri
Year of birth:
1928
Veijo Meri, Finnish author and translator (died 2015)
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Hugh McElhenny
Year of birth:
1928
Hugh McElhenny, American football player (died 2022)
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Jaime Escalante
Year of birth:
1930
Jaime Escalante, Bolivian-American educator (died 2010)
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DEATHS ON DECEMBER 31
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on December 31, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Thomas Joannes Stieltjes
Year of death:
1894
Thomas Joannes Stieltjes, Dutch mathematician and academic (born 1856)
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Samuel Ajayi Crowther
Year of death:
1891
Samuel Ajayi Crowther, Nigerian bishop and linguist (born 1809)
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Spencer Trask
Year of death:
1909
Spencer Trask, American financier and philanthropist (born 1844)
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John Moisant
Year of death:
1910
John Moisant, American pilot and engineer (born 1868)
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Boies Penrose
Year of death:
1921
Boies Penrose, American lawyer and politician (born 1860)
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Archibald Hoxsey
Year of death:
1910
Archibald Hoxsey, American pilot (born 1884)
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Pancha Carrasco
Year of death:
1890
Pancha Carrasco, Costa Rican soldier (born 1826)
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Ion Creangă
Year of death:
1889
Ion Creangă, Romanian author and educator (born 1837)
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HOLIDAYS ON DECEMBER 31
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on December 31 around the world.
Ōmisoka
New Year's Eve (International observance), and its related observances: Ōmisoka (Japan)
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Hogmanay
New Year's Eve (International observance), and its related observances: The first day of Hogmanay or "Auld Year's Night" (Scotland)
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Twelve Days of Christmas
The seventh of the Twelve Days of Christmas (Western Christianity)
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Novy God
New Year's Eve (International observance), and its related observances: Novy God Eve (Russia)
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Public holidays in the Philippines
New Year's Eve (International observance), and its related observances: Last Day of the Year or Bisperás ng Bagong Taón, special holiday between Rizal Day and New Year's Day (Philippines)
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December 31 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast day: December 31 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
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Pope Sylvester I
Christian feast day: Pope Sylvester I (Catholic Church)
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First Night
New Year's Eve (International observance), and its related observances: First Night (United States)
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