December 31
Friday 31, 1999:
The Panama Canal comes completely under Panama's jurisdiction.
Wednesday 31, 1997:
After 26 years in operation, Opryland USA theme park in Nashville, Tennessee closes permanently.
Sunday 31, 1995:
The publication of the last new Calvin and Hobbes cartoon strip.
Thursday 31, 1992:
In the last of the great ITV franchise renewals, Thames Television, Television South West and Television South cease broadcasting, replaced by Carlton Television, Westcountry Television and Meridian Television respectively.
Tuesday 31, 1991:
1991 - The Soviet Union officially dissolves.
Monday 31, 1990:
Russian Garry Kasparov holds his title by winning the World Chess Championship match against his countryman Anatoly Karpov.
Saturday 31, 1988:
Mario Lemieux of the Pittsburgh Penguins becomes the first player in National Hockey League history to score one goal of each type in a single hockey game: a even-strength goal, a power-play goal, a short-handed goal, a penalty shot, and an empty-net goal.
Wednesday 31, 1986:
A fire at the Dupont Plaza Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico, kills 97 and injures 140.
Saturday 31, 1983:
The last day that the AT&T Bell System exists before being broken up by the United States Government.
Sunday 31, 1972:
Roberto Clemente died in a plane crash en route to deliver aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.
Tuesday 31, 1968:
Marien Ngouabi assumed the presidency of the Republic of the Congo.
Tuesday 31, 1963:
Central African Federation officially collapsed, and eventually became Zambia, Malawi and Rhodesia.
Sunday 31, 1961:
The Marshall Plan expires after distributing more than USD $12 billion in foreign aid to rebuild Europe.
Saturday 31, 1960:
The farthing coin, used in Britain since the 13th century, ceases to be legal tender.
Saturday 31, 1955:
General Motors becomes the first American corporation to make over USD $1 billion in a year.
Tuesday 31, 1946:
President Harry Truman officially proclaims an end of hostilities in World War II.
Sunday 31, 1944:
World War II: Hungary declares war on Germany
Tuesday 31, 1929:
Guy Lombardo plays Auld Lang Syne for the first time
Sunday 31, 1916:
The Hampton Terrace Hotel in North Augusta, South Carolina, one of the largest and most luxurious hotels in the USA at the time, burns to the ground.
Saturday 31, 1904:
The first New Year's Eve celebration is held in Times Square, then known as Longacre Square, in New York, New York.
Wednesday 31, 1879:
Thomas Edison demonstrates incandescent lighting to the public for the first time (Menlo Park, New Jersey).
Wednesday 31, 1862:
American Civil War: Abraham Lincoln signs an act that admits West Virginia to the Union (thus dividing Virginia in two); meanwhile, the Battle of Stones River is fought near Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Thursday 31, 1857:
Queen Victoria chooses Ottawa, Ontario, as the capital of Canada
Sunday 31, 1775:
American Revolutionary War: British forces repulse an attack by Continental Army generals Richard Montgomery and Benedict Arnold at the Battle of Quebec.
Saturday 31, 1695:
A window tax is imposed in England, causing many shopkeepers to brick up their windows to avoid the tax.
Wednesday 31, 1687:
The first Huguenots set sail from France to the Cape of Good Hope.
Sunday 31, 1600:
British East India Company is chartered.
Sunday 31, 406:
Vandals, Alans and Suebians cross the Rhine, beginning an invasion of Gallia.
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