What Happened on December 4?
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events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON DECEMBER 4
Explore the most important historical events that happened on December 4, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
William M. Tweed
Year:
1875
Notorious New York City politician Boss Tweed escapes from prison; he is later recaptured in Spain.
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Los Angeles Times
Year:
1881
The first edition of the Los Angeles Times is published.
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First Matabele War
Year:
1893
First Matabele War: A patrol of 34 British South Africa Company soldiers is ambushed and annihilated by more than 3,000 Matabele warriors on the Shangani River in Matabeleland.
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Mary Celeste
Year:
1872
The American brigantine Mary Celeste is discovered drifting in the Atlantic. Her crew is never found.
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Minnesota
Year:
1867
Former Minnesota farmer Oliver Hudson Kelley founds the Order of the Patrons of Husbandry (better known today as the Grange).
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Sherman's March to the Sea
Year:
1864
American Civil War: Sherman's March to the Sea: Union cavalry forces defeat Confederate cavalry in the Battle of Waynesboro, Georgia, opening the way for General William T. Sherman's army to approach the coast.
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North Carolina
Year:
1865
North Carolina ratifies 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, followed two days later by Georgia, and U.S. slaves were legally free within two weeks.
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Alpha Phi Alpha
Year:
1906
Alpha Phi Alpha the first intercollegiate Greek lettered fraternity for African-Americans was founded at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.
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BIRTHS ON DECEMBER 4
Discover famous people and historical figures born on December 4, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Victor French
Year of birth:
1934
Victor French, American actor and director (died 1989)
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Horst Buchholz
Year of birth:
1933
Horst Buchholz, German actor (died 2003)
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Wink Martindale
Year of birth:
1933
Wink Martindale, American game show host and producer (died 2025)
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Dick Ricketts
Year of birth:
1933
Dick Ricketts, American baseball and basketball player (died 1988)
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Paul H. O'Neill
Year of birth:
1935
Paul O'Neill, American businessman and politician, 72nd United States Secretary of the Treasury (died 2020)
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John Giorno
Year of birth:
1936
John Giorno, American poet and performance artist (died 2019)
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Stephen W. Bosworth
Year of birth:
1939
Stephen W. Bosworth, American academic and diplomat, United States Ambassador to South Korea (died 2016)
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Andre Marrou
Year of birth:
1938
Andre Marrou, American lawyer and politician
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DEATHS ON DECEMBER 4
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on December 4, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Stefan George
Year of death:
1933
Stefan George, German-Swiss poet and translator (born 1868)
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Charles Richet
Year of death:
1935
Charles Richet, French physiologist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1850)
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Johan Halvorsen
Year of death:
1935
Johan Halvorsen, Norwegian violinist, composer, and conductor (born 1864)
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Tamanishiki San'emon
Year of death:
1938
Tamanishiki San'emon, Japanese sumo wrestler, the 32nd Yokozuna (born 1903)
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Ivana Kobilca
Year of death:
1926
Ivana Kobilca, Slovenian painter (born 1861)
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Charles Dow
Year of death:
1902
Charles Dow, American journalist and publisher, co-founded the Dow Jones & Company (born 1851)
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Gregor MacGregor
Year of death:
1845
Gregor MacGregor, Scottish soldier and explorer (born 1786)
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William Sturgeon
Year of death:
1850
William Sturgeon, English physicist, invented the electric motor (born 1783)
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HOLIDAYS ON DECEMBER 4
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on December 4 around the world.
Saint Osmund
Christian feast day: Osmund
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Nicholas Ferrar
Christian feast day: Nicholas Ferrar (Anglicanism)
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December 4 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast day: December 4 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
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Navy Day (India)
Navy Day (India)
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Culture of Tonga
Tupou I Day (Tonga)
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Maruthas of Martyropolis
Christian feast day: Maruthas
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John of Damascus
Christian feast day: John of Damascus
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Eid il-Burbara
Christian feast day: Barbara, and its related observances: Eid il-Burbara, a holiday similar to Halloween in honor of Saint Barbara. (Russia, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Turkey)
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