December 21 in history
Events on December 21
Notable events that happened on December 21 in past years.
- 2023
Fourteen people are killed and 25 others injured during a mass shooting at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic.
Wikipedia article: 2023 Prague shootings - 2012
2012 phenomenon: Festivities are held in parts of Mesoamerica to commemorate the conclusion of b'ak'tun 13, a roughly 5,126-year-long cycle in the Mesoamerican Long Count Calendar whose passing many New Age spiritualists had earlier held to portend a variety of cataclysmic or transformative events.
Wikipedia article: 2012 phenomenon - 1999
The Spanish Civil Guard intercepts a van loaded with 950 kg of explosives that ETA intended to use to blow up Torre Picasso in Madrid, Spain.
Wikipedia article: Civil Guard (Spain) - 1992
A Dutch DC-10, flight Martinair MP 495, crashes at Faro Airport, Portugal, killing 56.
Wikipedia article: Netherlands - 1979
Lancaster House Agreement: An independence agreement for Rhodesia is signed in London by Lord Carrington, Sir Ian Gilmour, Robert Mugabe, Joshua Nkomo, Bishop Abel Muzorewa and S.C. Mundawarara.
Wikipedia article: Lancaster House Agreement - 1967
Louis Washkansky, the first man to undergo a human-to-human heart transplant, dies in Cape Town, South Africa, having lived for 18 days after the transplant.
Wikipedia article: Louis Washkansky - 1963
"Bloody Christmas" begins in Cyprus, ultimately resulting in the displacement of 25,000–30,000 Turkish Cypriots and destruction of more than 100 villages.
Wikipedia article: Bloody Christmas (1963) - 1934
Lieutenant Kijé, one of Sergei Prokofiev's best-known works, premiered.
Wikipedia article: Lieutenant Kijé (Prokofiev) - 1910
An underground explosion at the Hulton Bank Colliery No. 3 Pit in Over Hulton, Westhoughton, England, kills 344 miners.
Wikipedia article: Pretoria Pit disaster - 1883
The Royal Canadian Dragoons and The Royal Canadian Regiment, the first Permanent Force cavalry and infantry regiments of the Canadian Army, are formed.
Wikipedia article: Royal Canadian Dragoons - 1861
Medal of Honor: Public Resolution 82, containing a provision for a Navy Medal of Valor, is signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln.
Wikipedia article: Medal of Honor - 1826
American settlers in Nacogdoches, Mexican Texas, declare their independence, starting the Fredonian Rebellion.
Wikipedia article: Nacogdoches, Texas - 1598
Battle of Curalaba: The revolting Mapuche, led by cacique Pelentaru, inflict a major defeat on Spanish troops in southern Chile.
Wikipedia article: Battle of Curalaba - 1237
The city of Ryazan is sacked by the Mongol army of Batu Khan.
- 69
The Roman Senate declares Vespasian emperor of Rome, the last in the Year of the Four Emperors.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0