December 1963

Sunday 01:

Nagaland becomes the 16th state of India

Thursday 12:

Kenya gains its independence from the United Kingdom.

Monday 16:

Park Chung-Hee is sworn in as South Korea's fifth president.

Thursday 19:

Zanzibar received its independence from the United Kingdom to become a constitutional monarchy under the sultan.

Sunday 22:

Cruise ship Lakonia burns 180 miles north of Madeira with the loss of 128 lives.

Tuesday 31:

Central African Federation officially collapsed, and eventually became Zambia, Malawi and Rhodesia.