Browse Historical Events by Day: What Happened on December 30th?

The Roman poet and author of the "Metamorphoses," Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso), is born.

The death of Trajan, one of Rome's greatest emperors, and the accession of his successor, Hadrian.

The Battle of Castillon marks the end of the Hundred Years' War between England and France.

Philippine nationalist José Rizal is publicly executed by the Spanish Colonial government enraging and uniting Filipinos against Spain. Rizal came from a prosperous family, was educated in Manila and at the University of Madrid. A brilliant medical student, he became an ophthalmologist by profession, a writer and a key member of the Filipino Propaganda Movement, which advocated political reforms for the colony under Spain, although he never advocated Philippine independence. The night before his execution he wrote “Último adiós” (“Last Farewell”), a masterpiece of 19th-century Spanish verse. More

Grigori Rasputin, the Siberian self proclaimed mystic was murdered by Russian nobles and conservatives—who reportedly poisoned, shot, and then drowned the Siberian mystic—to halt his influence over Empress Alexandra and the royal family. More

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics ( USSR) is established with its capital in Moscow, The Communist Party, led by Marxist revolutionary Vladimir Lenin took control of the government. The Union eventually incorporated 15 republics and constituted the largest country (in area) in the world until its dissolution in 1991.

Ferdinand Emmanuel Marcos Sr.is first inaugurated as the 10th President of the Philippines. . He ruled under martial law from 1972 until 1981. He was deposed in 1986. His rule was infamous for its corruption and brutality. More

The Beatles' manager, Brian Epstein, secures a contract for the band to produce animated television shows.

Saddam Hussein, former president of Iraq, is executed after being convicted in 2004 of crimes against humanity. More