Charles de Gaulle is elected president of France's Fifth Republic. An insurrection that had broken out in Algiers threatened to bring civil war to France. He was given extraordinary powers to resolve the political crisis and the extraordinarily divisive and bloody War in Algiers. After several tumultuous years de Gaulle resigned on April 28, 1969, following his defeat in a second referendum. More
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What Happened in December?
Victories, births, and treaties. Explore the significant historical events and milestones that occurred in December. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.
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The Antarctic Treaty is signed on December 1, 1959 in Washington D.C. by the twelve nations that had been active during the International Geophysical Year (IGY).
The twelve nations were: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States and USSR. The treaty went into effect on June, 23 1961. More
Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire) gains independence from French colonial rule.
French forces capture the Algerian city of Oran, effectively ending the Algerian War of Independence.
Adolf Eichmann, a Nazi war criminal living in Argentina is found guilty and sentenced to die, after a trial in Israel. Eichmann was abducted by an Israeli command unit from Argentina, where he was living and was taken to Israel to be tried. More
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is officially established in Baghdad, Iraq.
Richard Pavlick attempts to assassinate then-U.S. President-elect John F. Kennedy in Florida.
The United Nations General Assembly adopts the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, marking a significant moment in human rights history.
A United DC-8 and a TWA Super Constellation collide over New York City, killing 134 people on the planes and on the ground. More
Charles de Gaulle is reelected as the President of France.
Fidel Castro declares that he is a Marxist-Leninist and Cuba becomes a communist state.
Tanzania National day. It is celebrated on the anniversary of Tanganyika and Zanzibar gaining independence from British colonial rule on December 9, 1961. Tanganyika and Zanzibar came together to form a single country – the United Republic of Tanzania on April 26, 1964.
A circus fire in the city of Niterói, Brazil on December 17, 1961 causes more than 500 deaths. The tent was housing a sold-out performance of over 3000 by the Gran Circus Norte-Americano was the worst fire disaster to occur in Brazil.
Portuguese Governor General surrenders to the Indian Forces the territories of Goa, Daman, and Diu on December 19, 1961, bringing to an end 451 years of Portuguese colonial rule in the region. The three territories became a Union Territory of India, becoming a full state later. More
Mariner 2, an American space probe, becomes the first spacecraft to successfully fly by Venus.
The United States lifts its economic embargo on Cuba, allowing the sale of certain goods.
The Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Hotline is established between the United States and the Soviet Union.
The United States launches the communication satellite Syncom 3, which broadcasts the first live transatlantic television program.
The United Nations General Assembly adopts the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
Kenya becomes fully independent from British rule on December 12, 1963. A year later, Kenya became a republic, (Jamhuri) with Kenyatta as its first president and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga as vice president. Both events are celebrated on December 12. More