Osun Defender History Corner: December 31 In Focus
Today, on the history corner, we take a trip in the realm of flashback and recall some events that marked this day.
December 31, 406
Vandals, Alans, and Suebians cross the Rhine, beginning an invasion of Western Europe.
December 31, 1600
The British East India Company is chartered, marking the beginning of British influence in India.
December 31, 1759
Arthur Guinness signs a 9,000-year lease at St. James’s Gate, Dublin, for the brewery that later becomes known as Guinness.
December 31, 1775
During the American Revolutionary War, the British leave Boston.
December 31, 1857
Queen Victoria chooses Ottawa as the capital of Canada.
December 31, 1879
Thomas Edison demonstrates incandescent lighting to the public for the first time.
December 31, 1907
The first New Year’s Eve celebration is held in Times Square, New York City.
December 31, 1946
President Harry S. Truman officially proclaims the end of hostilities in World War II.
December 31, 1961
The Marshall Plan expires after distributing more than $12 billion in foreign aid to rebuild Europe.
December 31, 1983
The United States invades Panama to oust Manuel Noriega.
December 31, 1991
The dissolution of the Soviet Union is completed, resulting in the independence of several former Soviet republics.
December 31, 1999
The United States hands control of the Panama Canal to Panama.
December 31, 2004
The official opening of Taipei 101, the tallest skyscraper at that time.
December 31, 2009
Both a blue moon and a lunar eclipse occur on New Year’s Eve.
December 31, 2011
The United States formally declares an end to the Iraq War.
December 31, 2019
The World Health Organization is informed of cases of pneumonia in Wuhan, China, later identified as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
December 31, 2020
The United Kingdom formally leaves the European Union, completing Brexit.
December 31, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact global New Year’s Eve celebrations, with many events scaled down or canceled.
December 31, 2021
The One World Trade Center officially becomes the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.
December 31, 2022
Various celebrations and events worldwide mark the arrival of the new year amid ongoing efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
Please note that these are just a few historical events that happened on December 31. History is full of numerous other significant events on this day, ranging from politics and warfare to cultural and scientific milestones.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
