On This Day in History — December 6

Highlights of December 6

• 2017 — Under President Donald Trump, the United States government officially recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Read more
• 1999 — The Recording Industry Association of America filed a lawsuit against the peer-to-peer file sharing network Napster, alleging that the service facilitated widespread copyright infringement. Read more
• 1992 — The Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, India, was demolished by Hindu Kar Sevaks, who believed that it was built on the birthplace of Rama. Read more
• 1990 — An Italian Air Force military jet, abandoned by its pilot after an on-board fire, crashed into a high school near Bologna, killing 12 students and injuring 88 other people. Read more
• 1989 — 25-year-old Marc Lépine, claiming to be "fighting feminism", killed fourteen women before committing suicide at the École Polytechnique in Montreal, Canada. Read more
• 1988 — Self-government was granted to the Australian Capital Territory. Read more
• 1982 — The Irish National Liberation Army exploded a time bomb in Ballykelly, Northern Ireland, killing eleven British Army soldiers and six civilians. Read more
• 1975 — Four members of the Provisional Irish Republican Army took two people hostage in a house on Balcombe Street in London, surrendering six days later. Read more
• 1967 — American physician Adrian Kantrowitz and his team performed the world's first pediatric heart transplant at Maimonides Medical Center in New York City. Read more
• 1957 — The first U.S. attempt to launch a satellite failed with an explosion on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral. Read more
• 1956 — At the Melbourne Olympics, 14-year-old swimmer Sandra Morgan became the youngest Australian to win an Olympic gold medal. Read more
• 1956 — In what became known as the Blood in the Water match at the Melbourne Olympics, the Hungarian water polo team defeated the Soviet Union 4–0 against the background of the Hungarian Revolution. Read more
• 1942 — The Holocaust: Members of the German Ordnungspolizei massacred 31 people in Stary Ciepielów and Rekówka within occupied Poland for helping Jews. Read more
• 1941 — The British Secret Intelligence Service established a facility known as Camp X (pictured) in Ontario, Canada, to train covert agents in clandestine operations. Read more
• 1933 — In United States v. One Book Called Ulysses Judge John M. Woolsey ruled that James Joyce's novel Ulysses was not obscene, allowing it to be imported into the United States. Read more
• 1917 — A ship carrying TNT and picric acid in Halifax Harbour, Canada, caught fire after a collision and caused one of the largest accidental explosions in history (pictured). Read more
• 1917 — World War I: USS Jacob Jones became the first American destroyer to be sunk by enemy action when it was torpedoed by German submarine SM U-53. Read more
• 1912 — The Nefertiti Bust, listed among the "Top 10 Plundered Artifacts" by Time, was found in Amarna, Egypt, before being taken to Germany. Read more
• 1907 — A mine explosion in Monongah, West Virginia, killed 362 people and led to the establishment of the United States Bureau of Mines. Read more
• 1904 — President Theodore Roosevelt announced the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, justifying the exercise of "international police power" by the U.S. in the Western Hemisphere. Read more
• 1865 — Slavery in the United States was officially abolished with the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Read more
• 1846 — Mexican–American War: American and Mexican forces clashed at the Battle of San Pasqual, a series of skirmishes near San Diego, California. Read more
• 1803 — Haitian Revolution: Nearly all the final French ships in Haiti were captured by the Royal Navy when they attempted to evade the blockade of Saint-Domingue. Read more
• 1240 — After days of bombardment, Mongol invaders under Batu Khan breached the walls of Kiev and sacked the city. Read more
• 1060 — Béla I (pictured) was crowned King of Hungary in Székesfehérvár. Read more
• 963 — Leo VIII was ordained a bishop, claiming the Holy See as an antipope supported by Otto the Great. Read more

Events

• 2017 — Donald Trump's administration officially announces the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Read more
• 2015 — Venezuelan parliamentary election: For the first time in 17 years, the United Socialist Party of Venezuela loses its majority in parliament. Read more
• 2006 — NASA reveals photographs taken by Mars Global Surveyor suggesting the presence of liquid water on Mars. Read more
• 2005 — An Iranian Air Force C-130 military transport aircraft crashes into a ten-floor apartment building in a residential area of Tehran, killing all 94 on board and 12 more on the ground. Read more
• 1999 — A&M Records, Inc. v. Napster, Inc.: The Recording Industry Association of America sues the peer-to-peer file-sharing service Napster, alleging copyright infringement. Read more
• 1998 — in Venezuela, Hugo Chávez is victorious in presidential elections. Read more
• 1995 — The United States Food and Drug Administration approves Saquinavir, the first protease inhibitor to treat HIV/AIDS. Within 2 years of its approval, annual deaths from AIDS in the United States fall from over 50,000 to approximately 18,000. Read more
• 1992 — The Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, India, is demolished, leading to widespread riots causing the death of over 1,500 people. Read more
• 1991 — Yugoslav Wars: In Croatia, forces of the Serb-dominated Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) heaviest bombardment of Dubrovnik during a siege of seven months. Read more
• 1990 — A military jet of the Italian Air Force, abandoned by its pilot after an on-board fire, crashed into a high school near Bologna, Italy, killing 12 students and injuring 88 other people. Read more
• 1989 — The École Polytechnique massacre (or Montreal Massacre): Marc Lépine, an anti-feminist gunman, murders 14 young women at the École Polytechnique in Montreal. Read more
• 1982 — The Troubles: The Irish National Liberation Army bombs a pub frequented by British soldiers in Ballykelly, Northern Ireland, killing eleven soldiers and six civilians. Read more
• 1978 — Spain ratifies the Spanish Constitution of 1978 in a referendum. Read more
• 1977 — South Africa grants independence to Bophuthatswana, although it is not recognized by any other country. Read more
• 1975 — The Troubles: Fleeing from the police, a Provisional IRA unit takes a British couple hostage in their flat on Balcombe Street, London, beginning a six-day siege. Read more
• 1973 — The Twenty-fifth Amendment: The United States House of Representatives votes 387–35 to confirm Gerald Ford as Vice President of the United States. (On November 27, the Senate confirmed him 92–3.) Read more
• 1971 — Pakistan severs diplomatic relations with India, initiating the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. Read more
• 1969 — Altamont Free Concert: At a free concert performed by the Rolling Stones, eighteen-year old Meredith Hunter is stabbed to death by Hells Angels security guards. Read more
• 1967 — Adrian Kantrowitz performs the first human heart transplant in the United States. Read more
• 1957 — Project Vanguard: A launchpad explosion of Vanguard TV3 thwarts the first United States attempt to launch a satellite into Earth orbit. Read more
• 1956 — A violent water polo match between Hungary and the USSR takes place during the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, against the backdrop of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. Read more
• 1941 — World War II: Camp X opens in Canada to begin training Allied secret agents for the war. Read more
• 1939 — Winter War: The Red Army's advance on the Karelian Isthmus is stopped by Finns at the Mannerheim Line during the Battle of Taipale. Read more
• 1933 — In United States v. One Book Called Ulysses Judge John M. Woolsey rules that James Joyce's novel Ulysses is not obscene despite coarse language and sexual content, a leading decision affirming free expression. Read more
• 1928 — The government of Colombia sends military forces to suppress a month-long strike by United Fruit Company workers, resulting in an unknown number of deaths. Read more
• 1922 — Ireland is partitioned, with Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State coming into existence, one year to the day after the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty. Read more
• 1921 — The Anglo-Irish Treaty is signed in London by British and Irish representatives. Read more
• 1917 — Finland declares independence from the Russian Empire. Read more
• 1917 — Halifax Explosion: A munitions explosion near Halifax, Nova Scotia kills more than 1,900 people in the largest artificial explosion up to that time. Read more
• 1917 — World War I: USS Jacob Jones is the first American destroyer to be sunk by enemy action when it is torpedoed by German submarine SM U-53. Read more
• 1916 — World War I: The Central Powers capture Bucharest. Read more
• 1912 — The Nefertiti Bust is discovered. Read more
• 1907 — A coal mine explosion at Monongah, West Virginia, kills 362 workers. Read more
• 1904 — Theodore Roosevelt articulated his "Corollary" to the Monroe Doctrine, stating that the U.S. would intervene in the Western Hemisphere should Latin American governments prove incapable or unstable. Read more
• 1897 — London becomes the world's first city to host licensed taxicabs. Read more
• 1884 — The Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., is completed. Read more
• 1882 — Transit of Venus, second and last of the 19th century. Read more
• 1865 — Georgia ratifies the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Read more
• 1803 — Five French warships attempting to escape the Royal Naval blockade of Saint-Domingue are all seized by British warships, signifying the end of the Haitian Revolution. Read more
• 1790 — The U.S. Congress moves from New York City to Philadelphia. Read more
• 1745 — Charles Edward Stuart's army begins retreat during the second Jacobite Rising. Read more
• 1648 — Pride's Purge removes royalist sympathizers from Parliament so that the High Court of Justice could put the King on trial. Read more
• 1534 — The city of Quito in Ecuador is founded by Spanish settlers led by Sebastián de Belalcázar. Read more
• 1492 — After exploring the island of Cuba (which he had mistaken for Japan) for gold, Christopher Columbus lands on an island he names Hispaniola. Read more
• 1240 — Mongol invasion of Rus': Kyiv, defended by Voivode Dmytro, falls to the Mongols under Batu Khan. Read more
• 1060 — Béla I is crowned king of Hungary. Read more

Born on December 6

• 2007 — Yoonchae Jeung, South Korean singer Read more
• 1998 — Angelīna Kučvaļska, Latvian figure skater Read more
• 1997 — Sabrina Ionescu, American basketball player Read more
• 1996 — Davide Calabria, Italian footballer Read more
• 1996 — Stefanie Scott, American actress and singer Read more
• 1995 — A Boogie wit da Hoodie, American rapper and singer-songwriter Read more
• 1994 — Giannis Antetokounmpo, Greek-Nigerian basketball player Read more
• 1994 — Wakatakakage Atsushi, Japanese sumo wrestler Read more
• 1994 — Shreyas Iyer, Indian cricketer Read more
• 1993 — Jasprit Bumrah, Indian cricketer Read more
• 1993 — Elián González, Cuban technician, known for a child custody and immigration case held in 2000 Read more
• 1993 — Tautau Moga, Australian-Samoan rugby league player Read more
• 1992 — Viktor Antipin, Russian ice hockey player Read more
• 1992 — Britt Assombalonga, Congolese footballer Read more
• 1992 — Johnny Manziel, American football player Read more
• 1991 — Rachel Jarry, Australian basketball player Read more
• 1991 — Milica Mandić, Serbian taekwondo athlete Read more
• 1991 — Coco Vandeweghe, American tennis player Read more
• 1990 — Tamira Paszek, Austrian tennis player Read more
• 1989 — Felix Schiller, German footballer Read more
• 1988 — Adam Eaton, American baseball player Read more
• 1988 — Ravindra Jadeja, Indian cricketer Read more
• 1988 — Sandra Nurmsalu, Estonian singer and violinist Read more
• 1988 — Nils Petersen, German footballer Read more
• 1988 — Nobunaga Shimazaki, Japanese voice actor Read more
• 1986 — Sean Edwards, English race car driver (died 2013) Read more
• 1986 — Matt Niskanen, American ice hockey player Read more
• 1985 — Shannon Bobbitt, American basketball player Read more
• 1985 — Aristeidis Grigoriadis, Greek swimmer Read more
• 1985 — R. P. Singh, Indian cricketer Read more
• 1984 — Syndric Steptoe, American football player Read more
• 1984 — Nora Kirkpatrick, American actress and musician Read more
• 1984 — Princess Sofia, Duchess of Värmland Read more
• 1982 — Ryan Carnes, American actor and producer Read more
• 1982 — Alberto Contador, Spanish cyclist Read more
• 1982 — Sean Ervine, Zimbabwean cricketer Read more
• 1982 — Robbie Gould, American football player Read more
• 1982 — Aaron Sandilands, Australian footballer Read more
• 1982 — Susie Wolff, Scottish race car driver Read more
• 1981 — Federico Balzaretti, Italian footballer Read more

Died on December 6

• 2024 — Maggie Tabberer, Australian fashion model and television personality (born 1936) Read more
• 2016 — Peter Vaughan, British actor (born 1923) Read more
• 2015 — Ko Chun-hsiung, Taiwanese actor, director, and politician (born 1945) Read more
• 2015 — Liu Juying, Chinese general and politician (born 1917) Read more
• 2015 — Nicholas Smith, British actor (born 1934) Read more
• 2014 — Ralph H. Baer, German-American video game designer, created the Magnavox Odyssey (born 1922) Read more
• 2014 — Jimmy Del Ray, American wrestler and manager (born 1962) Read more
• 2014 — Fred Hawkins, American golfer (born 1923) Read more
• 2014 — Luke Somers, English-American photographer and journalist (born 1981) Read more
• 2013 — Jean-Pierre Desthuilliers, French poet and critic (born 1939) Read more
• 2013 — Stan Tracey, English pianist and composer (born 1926) Read more
• 2013 — M. K. Turk, American basketball player and coach (born 1942) Read more
• 2012 — Miguel Abia Biteo Boricó, Equatoguinean engineer and politician, Prime Minister of Equatorial Guinea (born 1961) Read more
• 2012 — Jan Carew, Guyanese author, poet, and playwright (born 1920) Read more
• 2012 — Jeffrey Koo Sr., Taiwanese banker and businessman (born 1933) Read more
• 2012 — Huw Lloyd-Langton, English guitarist (born 1951) Read more
• 2012 — Pedro Vaz, Uruguayan lawyer and politician, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay (born 1963) Read more
• 2011 — Dobie Gray, American singer-songwriter and producer (born 1940) Read more
• 2010 — Mark Dailey, American-Canadian journalist and actor (born 1953) Read more
• 2006 — John Feeney, New Zealand director and producer (born 1922) Read more
• 2005 — Charly Gaul, Luxembourger cyclist (born 1932) Read more
• 2005 — Devan Nair, Malaysian-Singaporean union leader and politician, 3rd President of Singapore (born 1923) Read more
• 2005 — Danny Williams, South African singer (born 1942) Read more
• 2005 — William P. Yarborough, American general (born 1912) Read more
• 2003 — Carlos Manuel Arana Osorio, Guatemalan general and politician, President of Guatemala (born 1918) Read more
• 2002 — Philip Berrigan, American priest and activist (born 1923) Read more
• 2001 — Charles McClendon, American football player and coach (born 1923) Read more
• 2000 — Werner Klemperer, German-American actor (born 1920) Read more
• 2000 — Aziz Mian, Pakistani singer-songwriter and poet (born 1942) Read more
• 1998 — César Baldaccini, French sculptor and educator (born 1921) Read more
• 1997 — Willy den Ouden, Dutch swimmer (born 1918) Read more
• 1996 — Pete Rozelle, American businessman (born 1926) Read more
• 1996 — Harry Babcock, American football player and first overall draft pick (born 1930) Read more
• 1994 — Heinz Baas, German footballer and manager (born 1922) Read more
• 1994 — Gian Maria Volonté, Italian actor and director (born 1933) Read more
• 1993 — Don Ameche, American actor (born 1908) Read more
• 1991 — Mimi Smith, English nurse (born 1906) Read more
• 1991 — Richard Stone, English economist and statistician, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1913) Read more
• 1990 — Pavlos Sidiropoulos, Greek singer-songwriter and guitarist (born 1948) Read more
• 1990 — Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysian lawyer and politician, 1st Prime Minister of Malaysia (born 1903) Read more

Holidays & observances

Anniversary of the Founding of Quito (Ecuador); Armed Forces Day (Ukraine); Christian feast day: Abraham of Kratia; Christian feast day: Aemilianus (Roman Catholic Church); Christian feast day: Denise and companions; Christian feast day: Blessed János Scheffler; Christian feast day: María del Monte Carmelo Sallés y Barangueras; Christian feast day: Nicholas of Myra, and its related observances: Saint Nicholas Day, where Saint Nicholas/Santa Claus leaves little presents in children's shoes. (International); Christian feast day: December 6 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics); Constitution Day (Spain); Day of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies of Azerbaijan; Independence Day, celebrates the independence of Finland from Russia in 1917.; National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women (Canada)

More from the Almanac

Sunrise & SunsetStar TransitMoon & Planting CalendarsAncient Measures