Facts & Historical Events On This Day.
An Azeri passenger flight crash-landed in Kazakhstan after being hit by Russian anti-aircraft systems.
The James Webb Space Telescope was launched from the Guiana Space Center.
The Wolf of Wall Street, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jonah Hill, was released.
Cassini orbiter released the Huygens probe, which successfully landed on Saturn's moon Titan.
Mikhail Gorbachev resigned from his position as Prime Minister of the Soviet Union.
The show trial of Romanian Communist dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu occurred.
Paul McCartney and actress Jane Asher announced their engagement.
To Kill a Mockingbird film was released.
Hirohito becomes the 124th emperor of Japan.
The play 'Why Marry?' opened at the Astor Theatre in New York City.
First abdominal surgery performed.
George Washington crossed Delaware, in which he surprised and defeated 1,400 Hessians.
Johann Georg Palitzsch sighted the return of Halley's Comet.
East India Company's Captain William Mynors becomes the first European to sail by Christmas Island.
Governor William Bradford of Plymouth Colony forbade game playing on Christmas.
The Santa Maria sunk.
William the Conqueror was crowned king of England at Westminster Abbey, London.
Christmas was celebrated in Rome, marking the first time in recorded history that the holiday was celebrated.
