Vandals, Alans, and Suebi tribes cross the Rhine River into Gaul, marking the beginning of the fall of the Western Roman Empire.
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What Happened Today in History on December 31
Explore the historical events that shaped our world on December 31st. From major milestones to cultural achievements, see what happened on this day in history. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.
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Pope Sylvester II dies, marking the end of his papacy, during which he contributed to the advancement of science and mathematics in Europe.
King Charles III of Naples is crowned King of Hungary in Naples, beginning a personal union between the two kingdoms.
King Charles III (also known as Charles of Durazzo) was crowned King of Hungary in Székesfehérvár, Hungary, after claiming the throne from Queen Mary. He had previously been crowned King of Naples in Naples in 1381, but his rule in Hungary was short-lived as he was assassinated there in February 1386.
The British suffer heavy losses in the Battle of Princeton during the American Revolutionary War.
The Dutch East India Company is dissolved by the Netherlands government. It had been originally established on March 20, 1602 but it had been severely affected by corruption, smuggling and increasing administrative costs. It was dissolved and nationalised.
Thomas Edison demonstrates incandescent lighting to the public for the first time by illuminating some 100 bulbs in and around his laboratory in Menlo Park, New Jersey.
Thomas Edison had achieved a successful test of his carbonized cotton filament light bulb on October 21, 1879, which lasted for over 13 hours. He patented the first commercially viable version on November 4, 1879, and publicly demonstrated his invention on December 31, 1879.
The estimated population of the world reaches 3.45 billion, according to the United Nations.
The Panama Canal is transferred from U.S. control to Panamanian ownership.
The eleven month Brexit transition period ends and the UK officially fully separates from the EU's single market and customs union, ending its participation in the free movement of people, goods, and services.
The United Kingdom officially completes its transition out of the European Union, fully implementing Brexit.